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Sleek, new medical helicopter begins service in Missoula

It was a case of "out with the old and in with the new" in Missoula as a brand-new medical helicpoter and its Montana team visited the two local hospitals they'll serve.

Credit Edward O'Brien
New chopper making its landing (look at the flex in those blades!)

Northwest Medstar has replaced LifeFlight; the air ambulance service that was operated by Saint Patrick Hospital and also served Missoula's Community Hospital. Life Flight began operating in Missoula in the early 80's.
      The two hospitals merged their separate air ambulance services in 2012 and announced late last year that they entered into an agreement with the Spokane-based Northwest Medstar. The decision was estimated to save hundreds of thousands of dollars.
      Edward O'Brien attended today's first meet-and-greet ceremony at St. Pat's and bring us this story:

Edward O’Brien first landed at Montana Public Radio three decades ago as a news intern while attending the UM School of Journalism. He covers a wide range of stories from around the state.
edward.obrien@umt.edu.  
(406) 243-4065
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