The 19th Annual CMSA Educational Conference was attended by a record setting number of nursing case managers and other health care professionals in the Chicago land area. This annual conference provides education, networking and professional outreach for all in attendance. This was a great opportunity to have direct contact with case managers from all practice settings.
Chicago Land Case Managers work laboriously with their clients on their health care needs. Case Managers have an impact on the transitional care of their clients and their role is becoming even more important with medical service related resources downsizing. This conference was attended by more than 300 attendees and over 60 exhibitors to showcase their products and/or services.
This years’ theme was “Case Managers: Workin’ and Learnin’ in Chicago… Our Toddlin’ Town”. Working in Chicago is working in a city with heart and soul! This years’ event was held at the Drury Lane Conference Center in Oak Brook, IL, just west of the downtown core.
Kalitta MedFlight hosted booth 212 at the front entrance to the venue and was the only Air Ambulance Service supporting this event. As a result, we drew a lot of interest and of course, were very appreciative of the opportunity to exhibit.
Case Managers are at the heart of our business for it is through their efforts that allow us to be able to assist in these types of transfers nationally and globally.

Kalitta MedFlight is always proud to contribute to the American Case Management Association and its efforts to support its membership. After all, it is the role of the case manager in initiating and coordinating the task of moving the patient by contacting us to actually do the transfer. These people play a vital role in the air ambulance industry in an effort to seek continuum of care for the patients involved.

We look forward to the 2013 ACMA Conference in San Diego, CA!

The class was treated to Kalitta MedFlight cookies made by Rhonda. It was a fun and educational afternoon for all involved.

Pictured is one of our MedFlight Teams preparing to depart for a military transfer for the Department of Defense. The trip involved receiving personnel from the military coming back from Landstohl Regional Medical Center in Landstohl, Germany and moving him from Andrews Air force Base in Corel Springs, Maryland to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The team involved on this mission (from left to right) was:
Sylvester Britto (Captain) who has been a pilot for 16 years and has served Kalitta for the last 12 years brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Company. Sly, as he prefers being called, is a prime example of the caliber of personnel that is hired at Kalitta and his commitment to his profession and company is apparent when ever he is called to duty. Amelia Clark, daughter of our Director of Operations Brad Clark, has been a pilot for 5 years providing her service for the last 3 years here. Both of them were pilot instructors prior to their careers at Kalitta Charters. Joe Smith, RN has been a Registered Nurse for the last 5 years and is actually new to the team being with us for the past 6 months. Josh Young, RRT is a Registered Respiratory Therapist who has been in his profession for the past 10 years, has served Kalitta MedFlight for the last 4 years. Both of these gentlemen come to us from Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio which is a level1 Trauma Center / level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which is the highest designation for critical care management. Kalitta MedFlight is proud to be represented by such capable, professional, and compassionate individuals who ultimately are the face of the company to our customers.

Pictured, is one of out Neonatal teams responsible for transferring our most delicate of patients – our neonate population.
From left to Right:
Robert Newell (Captain) has been a pilot for 19 years and has been working for Kalitta for 12years. He brings a wealth of experience in aviation and many hours in the cockpit both as a pilot and flight instructor. The fact that he has chosen to stay with Kalitta the bulk of his career speaks volumes to the type of personnel that we have in our midst. David Smith (First Officer) has been a pilot for 6 years and although has only been with the company for 1 year, exhibits a lot passion for what he does. Brenda Hillock (RN) has been a Registered Nurse for 20+ years and has served us for 2 years. She is a valuable resource to us coming from Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, MI. She also serves on their critical care transport team as well. Rhonda Gladieux (RRT) has been a Registered Respiratory Therapist for 10+ years and has served the company for 4 years. She comes to us from Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio which is a level1 Trauma Center / level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which is the highest designation for critical care management. Although she is well versed in the spectrum of care for all populations, her specialty lies in neonatal critical care.
On this day, the team was on its way to transfer a 3 month old female, diagnosed with Gastroschisis, from Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora, Colorado to Boston Children’s Hospital in Boston Massachusetts. Gastroschisis is a birth defect in which an infant’s intestines stick out of the body through a defect on one side of the umbilical cord. This condition can be life threatening if not treated in a timely manner and does involve surgical intervention.

Kalitta MedFlight exhibited at the 1st Annual Ohio Chapter Case Management Conference, sponsored by the American Case Management Association (ACMA). ACMA Chapters provide enhanced networking and educational opportunities among peers within their local or regional area, and hosts educational events monthly or quarterly. Each chapter also hosts an Annual Chapter Conference that brings national level speakers to the chapter’s area.

The mission of the ACMA is to be THE association for Hospital / Health System Case Management professionals. The Goals of the ACMA are to provide innovative professional development services that include mentoring, educational forums, resource information, create new opportunities for networking and Influence the policies, laws and other issues related to the practice of Case Management.

This event was held at the Creekside Conference & Event Center in Gahanna, Ohio on March 13th. The conference was attended by 138 case managers from throughout the state of Ohio, well above the expected attendance of 90. Also, 28 vendors filled the exhibit hall.

Pictured is Karlynn Beerman of Firelands Hospital in Sandusky, Ohio who won the $50.00 dollar Visa gift certificate.

http://www.acmaweb.org/section.asp?sID=4&mn=mn1&sn=sn1&wpg=mh

Lori Shaneck and George Benvenuto attended this years’ conference on behalf of Kalitta MedFlight held at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, AZ. The theme for 2012 was People, Purpose and Possibilities and with 2 full days of interaction, the venue served the theme well.

The US Travel Insurance Association (UStiA) is a national association of insurance carriers, third-party administrators, insurance agencies and related businesses involved in the development, administration and marketing of travel insurance and travel assistance products.
The US Travel Insurance Association’s mission is to foster ethical and professional standards of industry conduct, cultivate effective state and federal government relations, inform and assist members, and educate consumers.

Kalitta MedFlight was well received at this event as networking partners in the industry soon realized the capabilities that we could offer. Some of the company’s highlighted features include:

Kalitta MedFlight (established in 1985) is a fixed wing air ambulance provider transporting premature neonatal through adult patients providing a variety of critical care needs to ensure continuum of care.

FAA Part 135 air carrier based out of Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Total Fleet of 11 Lear aircraft dedicated to the MedFlight division, capable of air ambulance and passenger configurations.

Operates domestic and international flights and is capable of configuring up to five aircraft for simultaneous air ambulance operations.

24 hour communications and dispatch center with missions launched in as little as 2 hours.

All staff is critical care trained comprising of 6 Physicians, 17 Critical Care Nurses, 8 Respiratory Therapists, and 3 Paramedics that undergo both monthly and yearly skills validation.

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) in 2009.

Recognized both by the Air Medical Physician Association (AMPA) and the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS).

U.S. Department Of Defense (DOD) approved carrier. One of only four carriers that hold this designation nation wide.

Since Kalitta MedFlight already has a national imprint as a result of our commitment to the Department of Defense transporting military personnel and their families. We decided to support the local DFW CMSA chapter by attending their 20th annual conference held at the Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas. This years’ event was over run by pirates as vendors supporting the event were asked to dress the part – and that we did!

The Case Management Society of America (CMSA) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization which serves as the largest collaborative case management professional association in the United States. They represent care management professionals from a variety of disciplines, practice settings, skill levels and professional capacities, including: case managers, care managers and coordinators, nurses, social workers, rehab specialists, physicians, health coaches, pharmacists, students in case management programs, corporations and other partners that support the case management industry. The mission of CMSA is to positively impact and improve healthcare consumer outcomes by informing consumers about the services case and care managers provide; by educating physicians and other healthcare providers as well as payors and regulators about improved patient outcomes through the services case and care management offers. Case/care managers believe healthcare recipients need an advocate, identify appropriate options and understand their available healthcare insurance benefits. Assist the consumer in obtaining the information necessary to make informed healthcare decisions. They also serve as a guide through the healthcare maze to a positive outcome.
The Dallas Fort Worth Chapter of CMSA is one of the largest Chapters in the country with membership over 400. The Case Management Society of America is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the support and development of the profession of case management through educational forums and networking opportunities. CMSA has experienced rapid growth since its founding. There are currently nearly 11,000+ members and 73 state and local chapters nationally. Members are kept abreast of programs, news, developments and activities through two publications; Case In Point (contemporary magazine) and Professional Case Management (research publication). Each member receives these publications each month.

Pictured is George Benvenuto (Kalitta MedFlight) and Kathleen Kucera (2012 DFW CMSA Chapter President). Since this was a “Pirate themed event”, every pirate has to have their pet parrot. In this case, George has opted to have our Teddy bear mascot sit on his shoulder for the day…

The MedFlight team donates these bears anytime we do a neonate or pediatric trip to the patient involved as a small memento.

www.dfwcmsa.org/Chapter_Events.html

In an effort to show its support for the Respiratory Therapy profession and professional community, Kalitta MedFlight hosted a booth at this years’ Michigan Society for Respiratory Care (MSRC) 2012 Spring Conference at the Amway Grand Plaza / DevVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, MI.
The Michigan Society for Respiratory Care (MSRC) is a not-for-profit professional association dedicated to providing education, advocacy and resources to promote respiratory health in communities throughout Michigan. Founded in 1956, when it was known as the Michigan Society for Respiratory Therapy, the MSRC is committed to enhancing the quality of respiratory health by ensuring the professional development and growth of its membership. The MSRC is a chartered affiliate of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).

Many of the areas Respiratory Therapists, regional hospitals, and both local and national vendors attended the two day event that featured many educational opportunities for practicing RRT’s to enhance their knowledge base, network and visit the vendors supporting the MSRC.
Pictured, is George Benvenuto representing Kalitta MedFlight with Paul Loik, RRT Cardiovascular Clinical Specialist, University of Michigan Hospital (2012 MSRC President), Alicia Wafer, RRT Director St. Joseph Hospital, Ann Arbor (2011 MSRC President) and of course our company mascot!
The MedFlight team donates these bears anytime we do a neonate or pediatric trip to the patient involved as a small memento…

Link: http://www.michiganrc.org/