Omniflight Helicopters, Inc., a leading national provider of air medical services, announced today that it has acquired Savannah, Ga.-based LifeStarOne, an air medical services program serving Memorial University Medical Center Hospital, also in Savannah.

LifeStarOne has been the leading provider of air medical transport services to southern and southeast Georgia since the program’s inception more than 23 years ago.  Omniflight has served as operator for LifeStarOne since the program’s onset.  Omniflight will continue to operate one BK-117 helicopter under the program name LifeStar from its home base in Savannah.

Omniflight will continue to provide the same excellence in aviation expertise, clinical care and medical direction without any interruption as these crews remain in tact.  The aviation and clinical professionals that comprise LifeStar will continue to work with Omniflight. Ralph McDaniel, vice president of Omniflight’s Eastern region commented on the acquisition, stating:  “We are pleased to continue operating this program and serving one of the area’s most prominent health systems.  Since its nearly three decades in operation, LifeStarOne has garnered a solid reputation throughout the community for its highly skilled clinical staff and delivery of unparalleled medical care.  This will not be compromised as we are fortunate that the medical and aviation will remain the same.  Additionally, this acquisition will prove beneficial to the community as it complements our Charleston, S.C. and Georgia operations and allows us to offer extended support with the addition of the LifeStar helicopter.”

David Herrin, LifeStarOne’s former chief of air operations and program director, has joined Omniflight as manager of business development, responsible for local management of the base, sales and marketing and customer relations.  His 23 years of experience with Memorial Hospital and LifeStar One will bode well for Omniflight as it transitions into its ownership role and for the community at large.

Herrin added:  “This is a very positive move for the entire community and the hospital as well.  With the support of a national company like Omniflight, we can enhance our service efforts, safety initiatives and local presence.  I am excited to parlay my decades of experience at Memorial Hospital into my new role at Omniflight and expand the quality service offering we bring to the Savannah medical community.”