AAMS NAMES DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE FOR CRITICAL CARE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2020
Contact: Kelly Murphy
Phone: 703-967-8113
Email: kmurphy@aams.org

A seven-member Diversity & Inclusion Committee has recently been appointed by the Association of Air Medical Services to evaluate, foster, and advance core values that improve diversity and inclusion in the critical care transport industry through AAMS programs and resources. This announcement follows the approval of the AAMS board of directors on February 18, 2020 to add the following discrimination clause to the association’s Bylaws.
 
“This Corporation does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status. All programs and activities of the Corporation shall be carried out in such a manner as to be consistent with and in adherence to this policy.”
 
The seven members of the D&I Committee include:
Stewart Corbin, CFC, CMTE, 
Committee Chair
Customer Communication Center Training Manager
Metro Aviation, Inc.

Allen Wolfe Jr., MSN, CNS, APRN, CFRN, CCRN, CTRN, CMTE
Committee Vice Chair
Director of Clinical Education/Critical Care
Air Methods Corporation

Nikishia Allen, IAED-Q, CFC, CMTE
Flight Communications Coordinator
Flight For Life (Texas)

Junius Frederick, CMTE
Program Director
Meducare Air

Bethany Hart, NR-P, CCEMTP
Critical Care Transport/Flight Paramedic
NHRMC’s AirLink/VitaLink Critical Care Transport

Mick McCallum, RN, EMT-P, CMTE
Flight Nurse
Med-Trans Corporation

Chuck McSweeney, MPS, NR/CC-EMT-P, CMTE
Senior Account Manager
EmsCharts, Inc.

Mike Griffiths, RN, CFRN, CEN
AAMS Board Liaison
CEO
Life Flight Network, LLC

The Association of Air Medical Services has zero tolerance for discrimination, injustice, and violence in any form.

“We must preserve our organization, so we can increase our financial stability, add programs and services that foster diversity and inclusion in the critical care transport industry, and work to prevent legislation contradictory to our mission and core values,” said Cameron Curtis, AAMS President and CEO. “Discrimination remains an ugly part of American history that continues to plague our nation. It affects every aspect of our lives, including education, healthcare, personal safety, and economic stability in our large cities and rural communities,” added Curtis.

Critical care transport crews are trained to provide life-saving care to any patient in-need and are dedicated to conserve life, alleviate suffering, and provide care with compassion and respect for human dignity—without discrimination.
 
“The board agreed it was time for AAMS to reflect that sentiment in our Bylaws, programs and services, and to encourage diversity and inclusion within the industry,” she noted. “We stand united with our members and fellow first responders in support of this mission. Together we can be part of the change,” Curtis noted.
 
Established in 1980, the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is an international trade association headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area. AAMS is a non-profit 501C(6) trade association that represents and advocates on behalf of the critical care transport industry to enhance their ability to deliver quality, safe, and effective medical care and medical transportation for every patient in-need. The 2020 Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) will be held November 2-4, 2020, in Music City Center, Nashville, TN.