Pilots
All Mercy Flight Pilots are highly skilled and have excellent safety records. Most have served for many years in the US military. We look for new pilots to have at least 2500 hours of in-aircraft flight experience, including at least 100 hours at night. They should have a valid US license and be instrument rated.
Medical Crews
In additional to first-rate pilots, our medical crew members are also top-notch. Our Flight Paramedics have at least two years of high volume, critical care EMS experience. We also encourage our paramedics to complete the 80-hour Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport Specialist (CCEMT-P) course developed by the University of Maryland at Baltimore County. This program is designed to teach experienced paramedics how to provide ICU-level medical care to patients while in flight. Our Flight Nurses come to us with more than 2 years of critical care experience in an Emergency Room (ER), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or other critical care field. Both paramedics and nurses are required to maintain current credentials in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), International Trauma Life Support (ITLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP). They operate under a strict set of medical protocols and are required to meet continuing medical education requirements.
The Team on the Ground
Our flight teams are supported by a talented group of professionals on the ground. Our dispatch center is staffed 24/7 by Communications Specialists who field, prioritize, dispatch and coordinate incoming flight requests. They are certified by the National Association of Air Medical Communication Specialists (NAACS). We are a Part 145, FAA Certified Repair Station and our in-house aircraft mechanics utilize more than 100 years of combined experience to keep our helicopters flight-ready. Doug Baker, Mercy Flight President and Founder, leads a small but tireless administrative staff.
Medical Directors
The mission of Mercy Flight wouldn't be a reality without the dedication of our medical directors. These physicians are ready, around the clock, to take the call when necessary. Thank you: Michael A. Torres - M.D., Anthony J. Billittier IV - M.D., Kathleen A. Lillis - M.D., and Gregory E. Young - M.D.
Board of Directors
There is one more group of individuals who have played a crucial role in the success of Mercy Flight. We can't say enough about our Volunteer Board of Directors: Robert A. Milch M.D. - Chairperson, Paul C. Weaver - Vice Chairperson, Douglas H. Baker - President, Margaret A. Ferrentino - Vice-President/CFO, Thomas P. Calpin, Timothy M. Clark, Rev. John R. Gaglione, Eileen F. Kelchlin, Christopher D. Ross, Sister Mary Ann Schimscheiner R.S.M., Gregory W. Skibitsky, Michael A. Torres M.D. and Sister Sheila Marie Walsh.
