For 20 years, the GMR Employee Foundation has stood beside our team members in their greatest times of need, providing support through critical resources that change lives. Hear directly from employees whose lives were touched by the Foundation and see how the support we provide our team members makes a difference. Their stories are a true reflection of our #OneTeam spirit.
The GMR Foundation for Research and Education Golf Tournament brought together colleagues, partners and supporters for a meaningful day on the course in support of a vital mission. The event showcased the strength of our community and its commitment to supporting clinical, education and health system research, designed to improve patient care in the out-of-hospital setting. We extend our sincere gratitude to all who participated and a special thank you to our sponsors for their generous support! Together, we are creating a lasting impact where it matters most. #OneTeam
We’re proud to partner with CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, in collaboration with the County of Riverside Emergency Management Department (EMD), to launch the new 911 Nurse Navigation program. This innovative approach ensures patients with non-emergency needs receive the right care at the right time, while freeing ambulances for life-threatening emergencies. Together, we’re improving response times and strengthening care for the communities we serve. #Riverside911NurseNavigation
Joining Air Evac in 1994 as a flight paramedic, Tracey Swabby now works as the program manager for Air Evac Lifeteam 156 – Madison Co., IL. She has cherished many moments over the years, like providing medical care at the IndyCar races annually and welcoming six new babies to the 156-base family. Most of all, she loves to support the community in a multitude of ways: doing business with our many hospital system partners, promoting the highest quality of patient care, and hosting events and training visits. Tracey demonstrates the compassion and support that makes Air Evac who we are. She is a valuable team member, and we are lucky to have her. Thank you, Tracey, for embodying the spirit of our brand today and for shaping the minds of those who will come next! #OneTeam #WhenSecondsCount
As we continue to celebrate team members throughout Air Evac Lifeteam’s 40th year, we now introduce Fred Sandegren, a flight instructor and check airman based out of our corporate headquarters. After a whirlwind job interview, he recalls, “I’d just been offered a position at a different company in Cleveland but had not accepted, feeling that wasn’t the right place for me. I received a call the same day from the Air Evac Director of Ops. I cancelled my return flight from Ohio, booking a new flight and rental car. “Air Evac Lifeteam 5 - Quincy, IL opened its doors in August 1997. I had the privilege of interviewing in West Plains, MO two months prior. It was there I stayed for four days and completed the required academics and flight training, so I was thoroughly credentialed and confident in my ability before I joined my permanent base location in Quincy.” Fred has watched Air Evac grow from three bases to more than 150 during his tenure and from 68 employees to more than 1,000. All the while, he says, “Team members from the top down have created a culture founded on safety, support, and family; an atmosphere other organizations and employees can only hope for.” You have been an integral part of instilling the change we wish to see in the emergency medical service industry, Fred. Thank you for your faith in our company, your dedication to every call, and most importantly, your decades of service.
In honor of Air Evac Lifeteam’s 40th anniversary, we are thrilled to highlight team members who have contributed to the organization’s success. Lisa Barrett was the tenth woman hired by Air Evac Lifeteam. Being someone who represents the inception of the company, she has a unique perspective on the many changes and challenges it took to make a difference in our patients’ lives—from the beginning all the way up to her current role as a payer verification representative. Nothing held more weight than deeply personal moments. “I’ve made some good friends that I will always remember, and that came from the letters we would get from our patients. It was amazing, and they let us know how much the community appreciated us.” Lisa transitions, “Then, on the bad days, we played jokes, keeping each other from cracking; I remember one time we got the girls to sing Jingle Bells over the intercom, playing it as she sang, and when she realized what we had done, it was so funny. They were the little things.” Thank you, Lisa, for speaking the truth: AEL at its core is a family who endures because we care. Your memories celebrate this, and we are overjoyed to be celebrating everything we’ve shared these 40 years together!
At GMR, we understand firsthand the value Veterans bring to the workforce, especially in the EMS field. Many of our own team members have proudly served and their leadership, discipline and commitment to service shine through in everything they do. Today, on National Hire a Veteran Day, we recognize the importance of creating opportunities for those transitioning from military to civilian careers. Veterans offer unmatched skills and a deep sense of service, which are qualities that align perfectly with our mission of providing care at a moment’s notice. To all Veterans, thank you for your service. For those considering their next mission, we invite you to explore a career where your skills truly make a difference. https://careers.gmr.net/military
📍Oʻahu, HI Exciting news! This fall, we will open Oʻahu’s first dedicated air-medical base at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.🚁 With the launch of a 24/7 helicopter air ambulance, we will be bringing critical care to individuals across the island when they need it most. Our Airbus H130 aircraft will be staffed by two critical-care clinicians ready to deliver ICU-level care at a moment's notice. We are proud to be part of strengthening the island's emergency response system and supporting the Oʻahu community! “A ground ambulance can’t match the time savings a helicopter can provide when a patient with a critical injury needs to get from Northshore to town. When seconds matter, an air ambulance can be anywhere on the island in minutes,” said Tiffany Allen, GMR Hawaii regional director. “GMR gives hospitals, first responders and patients a faster, ICU-level option when ground transport simply isn’t fast enough.” #OneTeam
From administering blood transfusions to her teddy bears to volunteering at the local VA hospital as a teen, Kylie Stewart was always meant to care for others. Now with 14 years in EMS, Air Evac Lifeteam Flight Nurse Kylie continues to make a lifesaving impact. We are proud to have her as part of our GMR family and deeply appreciate her commitment to patient care.
Congratulations to Air Evac Lifeteam Flight Nurse Kristin Wilks and Med-Trans Corporation Flight Paramedic Xannie Quiring, who proudly represented the USA and helped bring home the silver medal as part of the GMR-sponsored Patriots Rugby Club at the 2025 World Police and Fire Games. We thank our teams for representing GMR with pride.🥈 #OneTeam
