GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — West Michigan Air Care will discontinue its helicopter service at Ascension Borgess Hospital and Bronson Healthcare.
An email sent to employees from Bronson Healthcare President and CEO Bill Manns and obtained by News 8 cited a 50% reduction in flights over the past 15 years, as well as strong ambulance transportation in the region.
The email said service would end April 20.
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In a joint statement provided to News 8, the health care systems said:
Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare will be maintaining the helipads at our hospitals and will continue to transfer and receive patients via other helicopter services that serve the region to ensure patient care is not disrupted. Plans are in place to work with impacted West Michigan Air Care associates to determine potential opportunities for transitioning to open positions at Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare that match their training and interests.
Kalamazoo-based West Michigan Air Care provides rapid medical services for patients at the scene of a crash, transfers critically ill and injured patients between hospitals and transports specialty teams.