Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital helipad project complete
JERSEY SHORE, PA. — The new helipad at Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital is now in service, speeding up the transport time for critically ill and injured patients to get higher-level medical care when necessary. Located above the hospital’s Emergency Department entrance, the helipad is a nearly $2 million investment that enhances care in the local community. A ceremonial “first-fly” was held Wednesday to mark the occasion.
Before the helipad’s construction, medical helicopter transports from the Jersey Shore area occurred at the Jersey Shore Airport in Antes Fort, nearly three miles from the hospital. The addition of the helipad at Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital eliminates the extra time it takes to drive the patient between the hospital and the airport, saving precious moments when it matters most.
When a patient needs to be transported for a higher level of care, they’re first stabilized at Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital. The arriving flight crew will transport the patient to another medical facility, providing a seamless transition in medical care. Investments over the years at Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital include telemedicine technology to better connect the emergency room clinicians with medical specialists at larger health care facilities to evaluate, diagnosis and recommend the best care option for a critical health situation.
“The construction of this helipad will help save lives,” said Tammy Anderer, MSN, CRNP, PhD, chief administrative officer for Geisinger’s north-central region. “Our investments in equipment and telemedicine technology — and now the helipad — show our commitment to making better health easier and more accessible for our neighbors. We’re grateful for the community support we’ve received for this project, and we’re thankful to have this helipad here for our community.”
In addition to the helipad, the construction included ramps, a heated walkway and a new doorway from the helipad to the second floor of the hospital. Financing for this project was provided in part from a gift to the Geisinger Health Foundation and through a $250,000 grant Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital received from the Williamsport Lycoming Community Fund at the First Community Foundation Partnership (FCFP) of Pennsylvania.
“The Foundation is pleased to invest in this opportunity to improve lifesaving services for the greater Jersey Shore community,” said FCFP President & CEO Jennifer D. Wilson. “We are grateful to Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital for helping FCFP work toward its vision of creating more powerful communities through passionate giving.”
Geisinger Life Flight will be one of the air ambulance services using the helipad. On average, Life Flight transports five patients per month from Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital.
Celebrating 40 years in service, Geisinger Life Flight has transported more than 75,000 patients since beginning operations in 1981. As Pennsylvania’s second-largest air ambulance program, Geisinger Life Flight averages more than 3,500 transports a year. The service operates six of its nine aircraft from bases in Montoursville, State College, Selinsgrove, Avoca, Minersville and Lehighton. The program includes two critical care ground transport units based in Danville and Avoca and operates with approximately 150 staff members, including pilots, flight nurses, flight medics, communications specialists, emergency vehicle operators, maintenance and administrative staff. Life Flight is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport System and holds its own Air Carrier certificate through the FAA.
