The History of Lehigh Valley Hospital MedEvac
The history presented below represents the most complete record we have been able to compile. It has been assembled through extensive research of historical publications, newspaper archives, photographs, aircraft records, and—just as importantly—the memories and experiences of past and present MedEvac crew members.
As with any historical record, there may be gaps or details that need clarification. If you have corrections, additional information, photographs, or memories that can help make this history more complete and accurate, please contact us. We welcome your contributions and will update the record as new information becomes available.
Thank you to everyone who has helped preserve the history of MedEvac.
1981 — The Beginning
In 1981, Allentown & Sacred Heart Hospital MedEvac began operations as the 31st air medical flight program in the United States. Operating as MedEvac 1, the program was based at Cedar Crest with N1022H.
On April 8, 1981, MedEvac completed its first patient flight, transporting an accident victim from Palmerton Hospital to Cedar Crest.
1981 AT A GLANCE
Base: Cedar Crest
Aircraft: N1022H
First Flight: April 8, 1981
Program: Allentown & Sacred Heart Hospital MedEvac
N2907T | Lehigh Valley Hospital MedEvac
MedEvac 1 • LVH Cedar Crest
1982 — Growth and Tragedy
In 1982, MedEvac entered a period of major change. On April 27, 1982, N1022H was lost in a crash. At the time, the program had completed 121 patient flights.
Just two days later, on April 29, 1982, N997PA, a Bell 206L-1 LongRanger, entered service with a call sign of MedEvac 2.
Later that year, on October 29, 1982, N2907T was formally dedicated by Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh. The aircraft was purchased for approximately $550,000.
1983–1985 — A Period of Stability
Following the rapid changes of 1981 and 1982, MedEvac entered a period of relative stability. N2907T continued to serve as MedEvac 1, based at Cedar Crest, through 1985.
The next major chapter would come in 1986, when changes in aircraft and hospital partnerships began reshaping the program.
1986 — University MedEvac Takes Shape
In October 1986, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Hahnemann University Hospital joined forces to create University MedEvac, marking an important expansion of the program.
In December 1986, N159BK replaced N2907T as MedEvac 1 at Cedar Crest. The aircraft was leased from Keystone Helicopters.
N2907T | N159BK | University MedEvac
MedEvac 1 • Lehigh Valley Hospital
1987–1989 — University MedEvac Expands
In 1987, University MedEvac expanded with a second aircraft operation based at Hahnemann University Hospital (HUH). MedEvac 1 continued operating N159BK from Cedar Crest.
In April 1987, MedEvac 2 entered service using N116MB while N526MB was at Keystone Helicopters for completion. By 1988, N526MB was serving as MedEvac 2 from HUH.
Through 1989, the two-aircraft operation remained stable, with N159BK serving as MedEvac 1 at Cedar Crest and N526MB serving as MedEvac 2 at HUH
1990 — A New MedEvac 1
In 1990, University MedEvac introduced another aircraft change at Cedar Crest. N116MB replaced N159BK as MedEvac 1, while N526MB continued serving as MedEvac 2 from Hahnemann University Hospital.
1991–1992 — A Period of Stability
During 1991 and 1992, University MedEvac maintained a stable two-aircraft operation. N116MB continued serving as MedEvac 1 at Cedar Crest, while N526MB remained MedEvac 2 at Hahnemann University Hospital.
1993 — Changes at Hahnemann
In 1993, Allegheny Health acquired Hahnemann University Hospital, which became part of Allegheny University Hospitals.
University MedEvac continued operating during this organizational change, with N116MB serving as MedEvac 1 at Cedar Crest and N526MB serving as MedEvac 2 at HUH.
1994–1995 — Continued Stability
During 1994 and 1995, University MedEvac continued its two-aircraft operation. N116MB remained MedEvac 1 at Cedar Crest, while N526MB continued as MedEvac 2 at Hahnemann University Hospital.
1996 — MedEvac 2 Expands Coverage
In October 1996, MedEvac 2 began splitting its operation between two locations, spending 12 hours each day at Suburban General and 12 hours at Hahnemann University Hospital.
While operating from Suburban General, the aircraft used the call sign MedEvac 3. N526MB continued to serve this operation, while N116MB remained MedEvac 1 at Cedar Crest.
1997 — A New Chapter for MedEvac
In 1997, University MedEvac underwent significant changes to both its aircraft and operations.
In October, N886AH replaced N526MB, with N526MB leaving the program for Conemaugh MedStar.
Following the November 21, 1997 merger, MedEvac 1 relocated to Muhlenberg in December, with N116MB continuing to serve as MedEvac 1.
N886AH | University MedEvac
MedEvac 3 • Suburban General
1998 — Another Organizational Change
In November 1998, Tenet Healthcare Corporation purchased Allegheny University Hospitals Hahnemann, marking another organizational change affecting the University MedEvac program.
During 1998, N116MB continued as MedEvac 1 at Muhlenberg, while N886AH continued as MedEvac 3 at Suburban General.
2000 — A New Era for MedEvac
The year 2000 brought several significant changes to the MedEvac program. In February 2000, N911LV entered service as MedEvac 1.
During the first part of the year, MedEvac 1 relocated from Muhlenberg back to Cedar Crest. In May 2000, N116MB entered service as MedEvac 2 at Pocono.
By the end of the year, the program was operating N911LV as MedEvac 1 at Cedar Crest, N116MB as MedEvac 2 at Pocono, and N886AH as MedEvac 3 at Suburban General.
2001–2002 — MedEvac Expands to Reading
MedEvac continued its three-aircraft operation through 2001. In March 2002, the program expanded again with the opening of MedEvac 4 at Reading Airport.
During its first year, MedEvac 4 operated several aircraft, including N236KH, N532KH, and N7062J. Meanwhile, N911LV continued as MedEvac 1 at Cedar Crest, N116MB as MedEvac 2 at Pocono, and N886AH as MedEvac 3 at Suburban General.
2003–2004 — Expansion to Doylestown
In March 2003, MedEvac 3 relocated to Pottstown-Limerick Airport, with N886AH continuing to serve the operation.
The program expanded again in May 2003, when MedEvac 5 entered service at Doylestown Hospital with N95SR. This brought the MedEvac system to five operating locations.
The Doylestown operation continued through 2004 before MedEvac 5 closed at the end of December 2004.
2005 — A Major Expansion of MedEvac
2005 brought another major expansion and reorganization of the MedEvac system. In January, MedEvac 6 opened at Keystone Helicopters in West Chester with N886AH.
In June, a new MedEvac 5 opened in Hammonton, New Jersey, with N135CP. Later that year, MedEvac 1 relocated to Kutztown Airport, while MedEvac 4 relocated to LVI Hangar 7.
By the end of 2005, the program had expanded considerably, with MedEvac aircraft operating from locations across eastern Pennsylvania and into New Jersey.
2006 — MedEvac Continues to Grow
The MedEvac system continued to expand and reorganize during 2006. In June MedEvac 7 opened at Zerby Airport, adding another aircraft to the growing operation.
In July, MedEvac 8 opened at Holy Redeemer Hospital in Meadowbrook, further extending the program’s coverage across eastern Pennsylvania.
In November, MedEvac 4 relocates to Floyd’s Compound in Carbon County
The year also brought several aircraft changes and base relocations as the MedEvac fleet continued to evolve.
2006 AT A GLANCE
MedEvac 1: N911LV • Kutztown Airport
MedEvac 2: N116MB • Pocono
MedEvac 3: N532KH • Pottstown-Limerick Airport
MedEvac 4: N891T • LVI Hangar 7
MedEvac 5: N7062J • Hammonton, NJ
MedEvac 6: N886AH • Keystone Helicopters
MedEvac 7: N892T • Zerby Airport
MedEvac 8: N135CP • Holy Redeemer
2007 — A New Chapter for MedEvac
The year 2007 marked a major turning point in the history of the program. University MedEvac split into two separate operations: Lehigh Valley MedEvac and MidAtlantic MedEvac. From this point forward, this history follows the Lehigh Valley MedEvac program.
The year was also one of remembrance. In January 2007, the program marked the passing of Bob Carmen.
On October 15, 2007, Lehigh Valley MedEvac transitioned to Air Methods. Plans called for the program to receive three new EC135 helicopters and one refurbished BK117C1, beginning a major modernization of the fleet.
2008 — A New Fleet for Lehigh Valley MedEvac
In 2008, Lehigh Valley MedEvac began introducing its new Air Methods fleet, following the transition announced the previous year.
In April 2008, N812LV entered service as the first new aircraft from Air Methods. It was followed by N811LV, N814LV and N817LV, completing a major modernization of the Lehigh Valley MedEvac fleet.
N814LV | Lehigh Valley MedEvac
Entered service in 2008 • Air Methods
2009–2012 — A Period of Stability
From 2009 through 2012, Lehigh Valley MedEvac entered a period of relative stability following the fleet changes of 2007 and 2008.
2013 — A New Look for Lehigh Valley MedEvac
In 2013, Lehigh Valley MedEvac achieved CAMTS accreditation, marking an important milestone for the program.
That same year, the MedEvac fleet adopted a new black livery, giving the aircraft a distinctive new appearance.
Lehigh Valley MedEvac 7 | Black Livery
Introduced in 2013
2014 — MedEvac Expands with LVHN Hazleton
In 2014, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Hazleton General Hospital merged, bringing Hazleton into the Lehigh Valley Health Network.
In January 2014, MedEvac 4 relocated to LVHN Hazleton, establishing a MedEvac presence at the newly affiliated hospital.
2015–2016 — Continued Stability
During 2015 and 2016, Lehigh Valley MedEvac maintained its four-base operation, with MedEvac 1 at Kutztown, MedEvac 2 at Pocono, MedEvac 4 at LVHN Hazleton, and MedEvac 7 at Pottsville.
2017 — A New Aircraft for MedEvac 1
In 2017, MedEvac 1 transitioned from the BK117 to the EC130, marking another significant change in the Lehigh Valley MedEvac fleet.
MedEvac 1 continued operating from its Kutztown base.
2019 — MedEvac 4 Moves to Hazleton Airport
In February 2019, MedEvac 4 relocated from LVHN Hazleton to Hazleton Airport, continuing to serve the Hazleton area from its new base.
2020 — The EC145 Arrives at MedEvac 4
In 2020, MedEvac 4 transitioned from the EC135 to the larger EC145 at its Hazleton Airport base.
N959AC arrived for the MedEvac 4 operation and was subsequently re-registered as N814LV, continuing the registration associated with MedEvac 4.
2021–2022 — Continued Stability
During 2021 and 2022, Lehigh Valley MedEvac maintained its four-base operation, with MedEvac 1 at Kutztown, MedEvac 2 at Pocono, MedEvac 4 at Hazleton Airport, and MedEvac 7 at Pottsville.
2023 — MedEvac 1 Transitions to the EC135
In 2023, MedEvac 1 transitioned from the EC130 to the EC135, marking another aircraft upgrade for the Kutztown-based operation.
N241AM arrived for MedEvac 1 and was subsequently re-registered as N811LV, continuing the registration associated with MedEvac 1.
2024–Present — Lehigh Valley MedEvac Today
From 2024 through the present, Lehigh Valley MedEvac has maintained its four-base operation across eastern Pennsylvania.
MedEvac 1 operates N811LV from Kutztown, MedEvac 2 operates N812LV from Pocono, MedEvac 4 operates N814LV from Hazleton Airport, and MedEvac 7 operates N817LV from Pottsville.
More than four decades after the program’s first patient flight in 1981, Lehigh Valley MedEvac continues the air medical mission that began at Cedar Crest.