Published October 02. 2026 08:44AM
The Lehigh Valley Health Network/Jefferson Health System celebrated 45 years of providing MedEvac operations to a large population including the Lehigh Valley, North Eastern and Central Pennsylvania.
Beginning in 1981, the program has transported 105,000 patients who were in need of immediate care at a hospital.
The program was named “Every Minute Counts” which acknowledges the need for a rapid response.
Attending the event were flight medics and nurses, physicians, administrators and support personnel.
The program master of ceremonies was Bryan Evans, director, LVHN — MedEvac, Critical Care and Emergency Transport.
Evans highlighted the professionalism of all who made the program the success it is today.
Currently the MedEvac program has four helicopters provided by Air Methods, a Quakertown Company that provides the helicopters and pilots that serve LVHN/Jefferson Health Network.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELANDFlight medics and nurses each serving 30 years or more gather in front of Medic 1 during the Lehigh Valley Health Network/Jefferson Health “Every Minute Counts” program celebrating 45 years of service to 105,000 patient transports via MedEvac. They include Mike Adams, 35 years; Tim Hickey, 36 years; Barry Mitchneck, 30 years; Tom Rothrock, 36 years; Doug Deutsch, 11 years; Ray Pagenhardt, 34 years; Rich Kuklentz, 30 years; Joe Rice, 32 years and Dwight Bitting, 38 years.
A very proud flight nurse, James Kish holds son Andrew in front of MedEvac 1 at the Lehigh Valley Health Network/Jefferson Health “Every Minute Counts” program celebrating 45 years of service to 105,000 patient transports via MedEvac at Lehigh Valley Hospital, 1200 South Cedar Crest Blvd., Sept. 9.
Current flight staff and colleagues gather for a group photo at the Lehigh Valley Health Network/Jefferson Health “Every Minute Counts” program celebrating 45 years of service to 105,000 patient transports via MedEvac.
The leadership time for the MedEvac program at Lehigh Valley Health Network/Jefferson Health includes Ryan Hay, vice president, Emergency Management; Joe Rycek, chief flight nurse; Adam Garger, MedEvac manager; Bryan Evans, director, Critical Care and Emergency Transport; Colin Hunsicker, development manager; Jeffrey Kuklinski, DO, medical director; Zach Matuzsan, DO, assistant medical director.
