UPMC Muncy, STAT MedEvac Celebrate Start of Critical Care Helicopter Operations

Improving access to advanced care in rural communities

June 2, 2026

MUNCY, Pa. – UPMC and STAT MedEvac marked the start of critical care helicopter operations at UPMC Muncy with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, expanding emergency response capabilities for Lycoming County and the broader northcentral Pennsylvania region. The base improves access to advanced care for patients in rural communities where distance and terrain can delay treatment.

Leaders from UPMC and STAT MedEvac gathered at UPMC Muncy on June 1 to commemorate the opening and recognize the collaboration that made the new service possible.

“Today’s launch is an important milestone for emergency care in northcentral Pennsylvania,” said Patti Jackson-Gehris, market president, UPMC North Central Pa., and president, UPMC Williamsport. “This service gives our region a dedicated critical care transport resource and helps ensure patients can get the right level of care as quickly as possible, no matter where an emergency happens.”

Staffed by a pilot, flight nurse, and paramedic, the STAT MedEvac helicopter is equipped to begin high-level care as soon as the crew reaches a patient. The service supports both scene responses and interfacility transports, helping connect patients more quickly to trauma, stroke, cardiac, and other specialized care when every minute matters.

“This helicopter service builds on the strong emergency response network we already have in place across our region,” said Tony Bixby, chief, Susquehanna Regional EMS, and director, Pre-Hospital Services, UPMC in North Central Pa. “It adds another layer of support for local EMS teams and helps patients in rural communities reach advanced care faster when minutes matter.”

“I am incredibly proud of the work we do, the organization we represent, and the team we have built,” said Jim Houser, president, UPMC’s Center for Emergency Medicine (CEM) of Western Pennsylvania. “The impact of STAT MedEvac 19 will be measured not in flights or missions, but in lives touched, lives saved, and communities served.”

The launch builds on UPMC’s broader investment in emergency and trauma care across the region. With a UPMC Williamsport as a regional trauma center and strong partnerships with local EMS and public safety agencies, the addition of a dedicated helicopter based at UPMC Muncy enhances patient care during the “golden hour,” the period following a serious injury or medical emergency when timely intervention can significantly improve outcomes. STAT MedEvac, the nation’s largest hospital-operated and dispatched air-medical transport system, now includes 19 helicopter sites and helps coordinate emergency helicopter transport through 911 centers, EMS agencies, and hospital teams based on a patient’s medical needs.