Madison Memorial Hospital held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, welcoming the addition of a Bell 407 medical helicopter owned by Intermountain Health Flight and Ambulance Services.

Representatives from both organizations, Rexburg city officials and other community members attended the event.

According to Brandon Turman, Senior Clinical Manager in the region for Intermountain Health Flight and Ambulance Services, the helicopter's 150-mile range will enable the hospital to provide more immediate care to patients in harder-to-reach areas, including Island Park and West Yellowstone.

Bell 407 helicopter on display. Image Credit: Parker Glenn

"It's capable in this environment," Turman said. "Aircraft are always sensitive to different altitudes and temperatures, and this is a proven platform used in air medical for this region that will provide good service and be a safe mode of transport for patients.”

Hospital leadership believe the addition of the helicopter will be crucial as Rexburg and its surrounding areas continue to grow.

“We're just super excited about anytime that we get a chance as a small rural hospital to be able to provide more state-of-the-art care, more expertise, a higher level of service to the patients that we try our best to take care of," said Dr. Clay Prince, Chief Medical Officer of the hospital. “We don't really get anything out of it financially, but it's a win-win situation for us to have options to better care for the people that we’re in charge of caring for.” 

Rexburg Mayor Jerry Merrill and family speak with crew member. Image Credit: Parker Glenn

Although the hospital owns and maintains the helipad, Intermountain Health provides crew members and mechanical support for the helicopter. Each crew is comprised of a pilot, nurse and paramedic.

“Most of our nurses and paramedics who fly with us have well over 10 years of EMS, ICU or ER experience," Turman said. "The pilots have thousands of hours that they've built up to be able to fly in these positions. It's not an entry-level position by any means."

Helicopter interior. Image Credit: Parker Glenn

Chairman JC Weber of the Rexburg Chamber of Commerce hopes the addition of the helicopter will encourage community growth.

“As part of the Chamber of Commerce, we're looking at how we grow and invite more businesses to come to our community," Weber said. "Having greater infrastructure, such as the helicopter resources, will entice other businesses to come here, and they'll be more willing to say, 'Hey, you have great facilities, and you're going to provide a high level of healthcare.'”

Madisonhealth is one of the largest employers in Madison County. According to the county's Labor Force and Economic Profile, Madison Memorial Hospital ranks in the top three among other businesses.

"We're so excited to partner with Madisonhealth," Turman said. "We’re like-minded in our goals in serving the community and doing what's right for the patients. This is a great hospital with some great access, and we live in a beautiful area here in Rexburg.”