Insights

• UC Health's Air Care & Mobile Care team brings advanced critical care directly to patients—whether at an accident scene, a rural hospital or during an emergency transfer between medical facilities.
• Behind every mission is a highly skilled team of pilots, flight nurses, physicians, communication specialists and mechanics working together to deliver expert care when it's needed most. Their seamless collaboration helps ensure patients receive advanced treatment and rapid transport to the region's only adult Level I Trauma Center.
• Every mission reflects UC Health's commitment to providing world-class emergency and trauma care across Greater Cincinnati and beyond.

To learn more about UC Health's Air Care & Mobile Care program and our nationally recognized trauma services, visit uchealth.com. 

Have you ever wondered who makes up our expert UC Health Air Care flight team?

The Air Care flight team includes highly trained professionals, each of whom brings a wealth of experience and specialized skills to their role.

Pilot

Every Air Care mission begins with an experienced pilot from Metro Aviation, the company that operates Air Care's helicopters under UC Health's ownership. Pilots are crucial to the success of each flight and are recognized for having skills in navigating challenging conditions, ensuring the aircraft's safe operation throughout every mission. Metro Aviation pilots receive ongoing training and certifications to meet the rigorous demands of air medical transport.

Nurse medic

Alongside the pilot is a nurse medic, a skilled professional cross-trained as a paramedic. This role combines both nursing and emergency care expertise to provide advanced medical care during transport. Nurses bring years of experience in critical care, ensuring patients receive the highest level of care while en-route to medical facilities.

Emergency Room (ER) physician

The third member of the crew is most often an ER doctor—or occasionally a second nurse medic. The presence of a physician on board significantly enhances the care UC Health's Air Care team can provide, as they bring advanced diagnostic skills and the ability to perform lifesaving medical procedures that otherwise could not be done in a prehospital environment.

Ground support team: the backbone of Air Care operations

Behind every successful mission is a dedicated group of ground support personnel who ensure that the helicopters remain in optimal condition and that operations run smoothly.

Mechanics

The mechanics employed by Metro Aviation perform essential daily inspections and maintenance of the helicopters to guarantee their safety and reliability. The chief mechanic and his team are responsible for ensuring that every aircraft is fully operational before each flight. Their commitment to excellence in maintenance is key to Air Care’s high standards for patient care and safety.

Communication specialists

Operating from the communications center, these specialists are the unseen heroes who coordinate each mission. Dispatchers and communication specialists play a critical role in coordinating flight operations, relaying information between medical teams, and tracking the helicopters as they respond to emergencies. They also help ensure the safety of each mission by monitoring airspace and alerting pilots to potential hazards.

The leadership team: steering Air Care’s success

Air Care’s leadership team plays a crucial role in overseeing the program’s operations and ensuring its continued success. The program is led by Kristy Hirt, Program Director, who is responsible for the overall strategy and direction. Our clinical nursing manager oversees day-to-day operations, ensuring the team is well-equipped to respond to emergencies, while our lead educator provides training and educational oversight for the flight crew.

Expert care when every second counts

UC Health’s Air Care team—comprising expert pilots, experienced nurses, skilled physicians, dedicated mechanics, and vital communication specialists—works together to deliver critical care to patients in need. With the support of its leadership, the Air Care and Mobile Care department continues to provide life-saving transport across the region. Whether it's through their flight crew or behind-the-scenes staff, Air Care’s commitment to excellence in patient care remains unwavering, making it a crucial lifeline for the community.

For patients and families, knowing that this level of expertise is available provides peace of mind during some of life’s most difficult moments. Whether responding to an accident scene or transferring a critically ill patient between facilities, UC Health’s Air Care & Mobile Care team is more than just transportation—it’s a lifeline. With every mission, the team’s goal is the same: to deliver safety, compassion, and world-class medical care when it’s needed most.