Video: New Medical Chopper For North Mississippi

LOWNDES CO., Miss. (WCBI) — The University of Mississippi Medical Center debuted its new AirCare 3 helicopter.

The chopper will be stationed in the Golden Triangle Regional Airport area, which comes as a relief for eleven-year-old Abby Williams and her family.

Williams, of Mathiston, helped to welcome the newest medical helicopter because if it wasn’t for the aircraft, Williams’ story would be much different.

“Abby’s been flown twice. She had a brain tumor and she’s had surgery and is doing very well, but she is high risk for seizures…”, said Williams’ mother Melinda, “…[she’s] high risk for any complication and anytime she has a seizure she’ll have to be flown because she gets critical really fast.”

“i really don’t remember any of it…”, Abby said, “…I just woke up in the ICU room”

UMMC Medical Director of the flight program Dr. Damon Darsey say the helicopter is meant to serve North Mississippi, since medical helicopters are stationed in Jackson and Meridian.

“It’s an academic medical center in flight…”, said Darsey, “…we’re a state trying to help our mortality rate. Its staggering, we can’t fix it sitting on the hill in Tupelo, Jackson, Hattiesburg, Columbus or West Point.

“We’ve got to engage the patients where they are.”

Darsey also said the advantage of the helicopter is its ability to fly in adverse weather and carry larger patients.

Having the chopper closer to home comes as a relief for Abby and her family.

“It really does help to know that if another incident happens again, it’ll get me there faster and to help”, Abby said.
“I’m just thankful that it’s this close to our home…”, said Williams, “…when you need care, critical care, that quick, this is the best way to do it.”

The AirCare 3 helicopter has completed forty missions since April 1st.