History of the PennSTAR Program
In 1986, the University of Pennsylvania Health
System recognized the need for a safe and rapid
means of transporting medical patients to the
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Led
by C. William Schwab, MD, a management team within
the Trauma & Surgical Critical Care division
came together to address this need. The PennSTAR
flight program was formed and began patient flights
in the summer of 1988.
In
2008, the PennSTAR flight program
celebrated its 20 year anniversary. |
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In 1996, a second helicopter was added to PennSTAR
1, which serves Bucks, Chester and Montgomery
counties. PennSTAR 2 is based in West Chester
and provides additional coverage for Chester,
Delaware and Montgomery counties. PennSTAR 3
began operations in 1999, serving the Lehigh
Valley.
PennSTAR 4 was added in 2005 and serves Berks,
Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery and Schuylkill
counties – from Reading Regional Airport.
Based in Carbon County, PennSTAR 5 began operations
in 2006. PennSTAR 6 was also added in 2006 and
operates out of Wings Airport in Montgomery County.
Penn
Trauma Network |
The
Penn Trauma Network was developed
in 1994 and is currently comprised
of:
- Hospital of the University
of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia
(Level I Center)
- St. Luke’s Hospital – Bethlehem
(Level I Center)
- Reading Hospital and Medical
Center – West Reading (Level
II Center)
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PennSTAR Mission
Dedicated to the Community;
Committed to Care
“Our mission is to provide the highest
level of care and rapid transport of patients
in the safest manner possible. Our goal is a
reduction of mortality and morbidity through
system-wide coordinated care. We strive to educate
first responders, sending and receiving facilities
and all agencies requesting transport services.”
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