(Editor’s note: As this story was being prepared for publication, Air Evac Lifeteam announced that the Batesville base had been selected as the company’s national 2011 Community Service Base of the Year.)

Strong community support, a hometown crew and a steadfast mission to always do what is best for their patients: the essential ingredients to a recipe for success that has allowed the Batesville Air Evac Lifeteam crew to faithfully serve northwest Mississippi since first taking flight in 2006.

 In commemoration of a half-decade of service provided to the residents of Mississippi and eastern Arkansas, Program Director Suzanne James offered recognition for the “wonderful support” shown to Air Evac since its arrival in Panola County. That support system has included local hospital, EMS, and law enforcement personnel, and Panola County business and civic leaders, all of whom helped lay a foundation for the national air ambulance company’s presence in northwest Mississippi.

“The support we’ve received from the community has been tremendous,” said James, who joined the company in February, 2006, and is a native of Panola County. “And, the relationships we’ve built in these last five years are priceless.” Among those relationships include MED Stat Ambulance, Tri-Lakes Medical Center, the Batesville Fire Department, the Panola County volunteer fire departments, the Batesville Police and Panola County Sheriff’s Department, the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Air Evac crews in Batesville have also worked closely with the Corps of Engineers at each of the three lakes in the service area, and Air Evac Lifeteam is a member of Panola Parnership, Inc., participating in numerous community activities throughout the year.

 Air Evac’s community involvement is a source of pride for James and her crew, she said. The company supports South Panola High School by attending home football games, participates in the school’s Career Day, and assists with the South Panola “Shattered Dreams” program each year. The base also sponsors a little league baseball team, and has been a two-time winner of the Unicel Community Service Award.

In fact, in recognition of its extensive community service involvement, the Batesville base was selected as this year’s Region 3 Community Service Base of the Year by Air Evac Lifeteam. “We are very honored and humbled to receive this award, and it speaks to the dedication and hard work of our crew members, and how much they truly care about their community,” said James.

As the preeminent provider of air ambulance services to rural markets such as Batesville, Air Evac Lifeteam focuses on providing superior patient care following a traumatic accident or major medical emergency. James said that in addition to its life-saving capabilities, Air Evac proudly provides outreach and training to the general public and the medical community.

“We have a tremendous outreach education program here at the Batesville base, and that has been a key in creating awareness about our life-saving capabilities to surrounding communities,” said James. The Air Evac crew has taught Heartsaver CPR to First Security Bank employees at all its branch locations, and offered Heartsaver classes in February in conjunction with Tri-Lakes Medical Center to promote heart health.

Air Evac also participates in the Fire Academy for Kids with the Batesville Fire Department each year, and the crews regularly provide safety and landing zone trainings for local fire departments.

“We strive to be a visible, vital partner in the communities we serve,” said James. “In fact, we would love to provide CPR and First Aid to the citizens of Batesville and Panola County on a regular basis. We have a dream of being able to teach CPR to every student and teacher in our county.”

The presence of a “fantastic, home-grown” crew and their extensive community involvement has endeared Air Evac to the communities they serve, James said.

In fact, Batesville’s entire crew hails from northwest Mississippi, and two crew members have been individually recognized by Air Evac Lifeteam for on-the-job excellence. Among those are Base Clinical Lead Melinda Jenkins, who in 2010 was given the Panola County Exchange Club Community Service Award and was selected as the Air Evac Lifeteam Region 3 Flight Paramedic of the Year, and Base Pilot Supervisor Tony Womble, who was selected as the Air Evac Lifeteam Region 3 Pilot of the Year in 2007 and 2011.

The Batesville base, in fact, is a two-time winner of the Air Evac Lifeteam Region 3 Most Improved Base of the Year Award, winning in 2007 and 2010.

James also mentioned the community support of the Air Evac membership program, which is offered to local residents as a cost-saving measure if ever flown by Air Evac for a major medical emergency. For an annual fee, members of the program are absolved of any out-of-pocket expenses, which can be a financial relief in the midst of high medical costs.

“Awareness of that program has really risen, and people understand the benefits,” said James. “It’s good to have that financial peace of mind.”

She added that the crew never loses sight of their mission, which is to help save the lives of people in need.

“We want to make a positive, lasting difference in as many lives as we can by serving the people of Batesville, Panola County and the surrounding communities,” said James.

She said as a Panola County native, the base’s success is a personal one to her. “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work in the community that I grew up in, and to help provide the best patient care possible to the people of my community,” she said. “I have been blessed to be a part of this.”

For more information about the Air Evac membership program, call Frances King at 662-710-0197. For additional information regarding Air Evac Lifeteam, call 1-800-793-0010 or visit www.lifeteam.net.