By Shea Wright 

VCU Health’s LifeEvac opened a new base at VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) today, bringing around-the-clock emergency air transport to patients in Southside Virginia and strengthening access to critical care when every minute matters.

The new LifeEvac 5 base and helicopter expand VCU Medical Center’s emergency response aviation network and enhance capabilities throughout the region. Working in close partnership with local EMS and first responders, the helicopter will support rapid transit for patients facing life-threatening emergencies, ensuring faster access to advanced specialized care. 

The addition of LifeEvac 5 marks the fourth helicopter in the air medical fleet and represents a major step forward in CMH’s ongoing efforts to strengthen critical care services and move closer to achieving a Level III trauma center designation.

“Timing is extremely important in trauma care,” said Sheldon Barr, president of VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital. “Working towards a Level III trauma program means patients can receive critical treatment right here in our Southside community, with the support of family and friends, because healing happens best closer to home.” 

VCU Health’s LifeEvac 5 crew takes flight over VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital. (Taylor MacKillop and Will Sidaros, VCU Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

With the South Hill base now operational, LifeEvac can now more efficiently provide care across the commonwealth, decreasing delays in service and reducing wait times for medical emergencies. This expansion also directly addresses the unique challenges of rural health care by shortening critical transport times and extending advanced emergency services into underserved areas. 

The new aircraft is equipped with advanced life-saving technology typically found in an intensive care unit. The base will be staffed by flight nurses and flight paramedics who are trained to provide critical care for adults and children suffering from trauma and burn injuries, strokes, heart attacks, complications during childbirth and neurological emergencies, to name a few. 

“This new base marks a major step forward in our commitment to providing rapid, high-quality critical care to all of the communities we serve,” said Benjamin “Cody” Main, aviation outreach coordinator at VCU Health. “This base is more than an expansion — it’s a critical asset for the health and safety of southern Virginia. With this added capability, we’re improving access to life-saving care and ensuring patients can count on the additional support they deserve when every minute matters.” 

VCU Health’s LifeEvac 5 flight crew is staffed by eight team members who rotate shifts throughout the week. Top row: Ally Griffith, flight nurse (left); Rionne Hahn, flight nurse; Kevin Kissner, CMH base supervisor; and Anthony Marant III, flight paramedic (right). Bottom row: Amanda Howard, flight nurse and paramedic (left); Xavier Smith, flight paramedic; Tyler Kendrick, flight paramedic; and Jamie Graff, flight nurse (right). (Allen Jones, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Want to meet the flight crew of LifeEvac Base 5? Discover what inspired them to join the team.

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