MAMA

January 25, 2021

Behind-the-Scenes Heroes: The MedCom Team

Though not as visible as ambulance or Mountain Area Medical Airlift (MAMA) helicopter crew members, Mission Health’s MedCom communication specialists play just as important a part in saving lives. Working 12-hour shifts, 24/7 every day of the year, MedCom team members are central to all out-of-hospital patient transport to and requests for trauma services at […]

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November 18, 2020

MAMA Helicopter Flight Paramedic Embodies Personal and Community Pride

“One of the fascinating parts of the job is that we never know what we’re going to come across on any given day, but we’re prepared for facing the gamut.” – John Carrico John Carrico has been a flight paramedic on Mission Hospital’s MAMA (Mountain Area Medical Airlift) team for six years. With a brand […]

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September 28, 2020

Happy Anniversary MAMA!: Looking Back and Looking Forward

By Erin Young and Robert A. Poarch This September 29 marks another year closer to three decades for Mission Health’s helicopter emergency transportation program we affectionately refer to as MAMA. This July, the Mountain Area Medical Airlift team transported their 25,000th patient. And, the team is looking forward to the arrival of a new, modern […]

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July 3, 2019

Rattled: One Man’s Unbelievable Snakebite Survival Story

“Surreal. Unimaginable,” said Scott Vuncannon, attempting to describe the ordeal he went through last summer. A former Boy Scout, 58-year-old Scott was more than prepared when he and his dog, Boone, set out on the Ellicott Rock Trail in the Nantahala National Forest on a sunny day last August. But even the most experienced hiker […]

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