UPMC and STAT MedEvac Launch Critical Care Helicopter Services in Northcentral Pennsylvania

November 18, 2025

MUNCY, Pa. – UPMC and STAT MedEvac are deepening their commitment to Lycoming County and all of northcentral Pennsylvania by establishing a new critical care transport base at UPMC Muncy. STAT MedEvac, the nation’s largest hospital operated and dispatched air-medical transport system, will have a dedicated helicopter and response team at the newly constructed base on the hospital's campus expanding rapid access to life-saving care across the region.

“This marks a transformative step in our commitment to saving lives,” said Patti Jackson-Gehris, market president, UPMC North Central Pa., and president, UPMC Williamsport. “With strong EMS partners like Susquehanna Regional EMS and our Level II Trauma Center at UPMC Williamsport, the only missing piece has been a dedicated critical care helicopter — until now.”

Rural communities face unique challenges in emergency response, including long distances, limited infrastructure, and difficult terrain. Helicopter transport helps overcome these barriers, delivering advanced care during the critical “golden hour” following traumatic injury.

“Having a dedicated helicopter in our region provides added resources for our teams, especially when dealing with emergencies in our rural communities and long-distance interfacility transfers,” said Tony Bixby, chief, Susquehanna Regional EMS, and director, Pre-Hospital Services, UPMC in North Central Pa. “It means faster access to trauma care, stroke centers, and cardiac hospitals — especially for patients in remote areas. This will save lives and improve outcomes for countless families in our communities.”

Each helicopter is staffed by a pilot, flight nurse, and paramedic, and equipped with advanced medical technology to begin critical care immediately. Helicopter EMS transport from the scene has been associated with improved survival when compared with ground emergency medical services for trauma patients, and this has made it an integral component of modern trauma systems. Up to 27% of the US population relies on helicopter EMS transport to reach a trauma center within the golden hour, especially in rural areas where the nearest trauma center is remote.

“Adding a helicopter and flight crew to the area will dramatically enhance our emergency response network,” said Jim Houser, president, UPMC’s Center for Emergency Medicine (CEM) of Western Pennsylvania. “Our teams work closely with the local county 911 centers and EMS agencies to ensure rapid deployment when air transport is needed. We’re always ready to deliver the highest level of care when every second counts and are excited to work with Susquehanna Regional EMS and our regional public safety partners.”

With this new base site, STAT MedEvac’s operations expand to nineteen helicopter base sites in Pennsylvania and neighboring states.

STAT MedEvac is a critical care transport system and is the clinical arm of UPMC’s CEM of Western Pennsylvania. The Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization wholly owned by UPMC and directed by the following hospitals; UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hamot, UPMC Altoona, and UPMC Mercy.