HJ272: Commending the Sentara Healthcare Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance.
WHEREAS, the Sentara Healthcare Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2022; and
WHEREAS, Norfolk-based Sentara Healthcare voluntarily launched the Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance program on February 25, 1982, when it was only the 38th hospital-based program in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Nightingale program is an airborne intensive care unit serving a 125-mile radius and beyond from its base at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, the region’s Level I adult trauma and tertiary referral center, saving precious time for critically ill and injured patients; and
WHEREAS, Nightingale’s flight nurses, flight paramedics, and pilots have transported more than 24,770 patients from trauma scenes and community hospitals since the program’s inception; and
WHEREAS, the Nightingale program operates as part of Sentara Healthcare’s nonprofit mission despite annual financial deficits and transports all critically ill and injured patients regardless of their ability to pay; and
WHEREAS, the Nightingale team maintains strong partnerships and joint training programs with emergency medical services and fire departments in the communities it serves; and
WHEREAS, the Nightingale program invests in continuous training and new technologies to enhance clinical and flight capabilities, including using night vision goggles and setting nine instrument flight paths to designated sites to allow for safe operation in poor visibility; and
WHEREAS, businesses, foundations, local governments, and individuals in Hampton Roads and northeast North Carolina contributed to the ‘Saving Minutes, Saving Lives’ campaign in 2011 to help purchase a state-of-the-art aircraft for the Nightingale program; and
WHEREAS, the Nightingale program is a community asset which improves survivability and the quality of life for all citizens in Hampton Roads, who could at any time need to fly on the ambulance due to accident, injury, or a medical event; and
WHEREAS, certain residents of southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina are alive today due to the rapid transport and advanced medical care provided by the Nightingale program and its staff; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Sentara Healthcare Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance on the occasion of its 40th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Sentara Healthcare Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for the program’s lifesaving services in support of Sentara Healthcare’s mission to improve health every day.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 272
WHEREAS, the Sentara Healthcare Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2022; and
WHEREAS, Norfolk-based Sentara Healthcare voluntarily launched the Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance program on February 25, 1982, when it was only the 38th hospital-based program in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Nightingale program is an airborne intensive care unit serving a 125-mile radius and beyond from its base at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, the region’s Level I adult trauma and tertiary referral center, saving precious time for critically ill and injured patients; and
WHEREAS, Nightingale’s flight nurses, flight paramedics, and pilots have transported more than 24,770 patients from trauma scenes and community hospitals since the program’s inception; and
WHEREAS, the Nightingale program operates as part of Sentara Healthcare’s nonprofit mission despite annual financial deficits and transports all critically ill and injured patients regardless of their ability to pay; and
WHEREAS, the Nightingale team maintains strong partnerships and joint training programs with emergency medical services and fire departments in the communities it serves; and
WHEREAS, the Nightingale program invests in continuous training and new technologies to enhance clinical and flight capabilities, including using night vision goggles and setting nine instrument flight paths to designated sites to allow for safe operation in poor visibility; and
WHEREAS, businesses, foundations, local governments, and individuals in Hampton Roads and northeast North Carolina contributed to the ‘Saving Minutes, Saving Lives’ campaign in 2011 to help purchase a state-of-the-art aircraft for the Nightingale program; and
WHEREAS, the Nightingale program is a community asset which improves survivability and the quality of life for all citizens in Hampton Roads, who could at any time need to fly on the ambulance due to accident, injury, or a medical event; and
WHEREAS, certain residents of southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina are alive today due to the rapid transport and advanced medical care provided by the Nightingale program and its staff; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Sentara Healthcare Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance on the occasion of its 40th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Sentara Healthcare Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for the program’s lifesaving services in support of Sentara Healthcare’s mission to improve health every day.