Kevin Takacs, the founder, president and CEO of MedForce, stands next to one of the MedForce helicopters Thursday, Oct. 17, during a celebration marking the 25th anniversary of the emergency air medical transport service. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Gilbert “Gib” Cady looked over the new MedForce Aeromedical Transport helicopter on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 17, and the memories came flooding back. He remembered car accident victims, people facing serious illnesses and others having heart attacks who were saved because the Mediforce helicopters were able to quickly get them to hospitals. “I was at this […]
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Gilbert “Gib” Cady looked over the new MedForce Aeromedical Transport helicopter on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 17, and the memories came flooding back.He remembered car accident victims, people facing serious illnesses and others having heart attacks who were saved because the Mediforce helicopters were able to quickly get them to hospitals.
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A ribbon-cutting ceremony is held celebration to honor the 25th year of MedForce Aeromedical Transport on Thursday, Oct. 17. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Kevin Wellman of Quad Cities Bank & Trust welcomes guests to a celebration to honor the 25th year of MedForce Aeromedical Transport on Thursday, Oct. 17. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
People look over one of the helicopters.
This is one of the Medforce helicopters.
Gilbert “Gib” Cady, left, talks with Bettendorf City Administrator Decker Ploehn (center) and Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher on Thursday, Oct. 17, at a MedForce celebration. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
A Medforce Aeromedical Transport prepares to lands outside the MercyOne Genesis facility in Bettendorf on Thursday, Oct. 17. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
A Medforce Aeromedical Transport lands outside the MercyOne Genesis facility in Bettendorf on Thursday, Oct. 17. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
“I was at this pancake benefit once and this guy came up to me and told me he had a heart attack and MedForce saved his life. Then he said ‘Oh, it was a little expensive.’ … I told him ‘But, you’re alive today, right?’” said Mr. Cady, the former longtime Henry County, Illinois, sheriff.Mr. Cady said he was associated with MedForce – the emergency air medical transport service – from “Day One” when it began flying 25 years ago.On Thursday, the retired sheriff and emergency services worker joined more than 75 other people to honor MedForce during a 25th anniversary celebration, held in a grassy area outside the MercyOne Genesis Bettendorf Emergency Care facility at 2140 53rd Ave. The celebration included a Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of a new Medforce helicopter, snacks and many words of praise for the air transport service as well as for the community and businesses that have supported Mediforce over the decades. Actually, several MedForce helicopters were scheduled to be at the celebration, but the other aircraft were kept busy on medical missions Thursday, MedForce leaders said.During the celebration, Kevin Takacs, the founder, president and CEO of MedForce, thanked Genesis MercyOne and Quad City Bank & Trust for their help and financial support.“They (Quad City Bank & Trust) have been behind me every step of the way. .. They took a chance on me and we’ve stood the test of time,” he said.Mr. Takacs added that a big part of MedForce’s success has been building those community relationships and business partnerships over the years.“It’s been a great ride and we’ve been great for the community,” he said.Some of the features and statistics of MediForce include:
MedForce has helped more than 20,000 patients.
It is a non-profit aeromedical transport company based in Colona, Illinois, and West Burlington, Iowa. Both bases are equipped with a helicopter staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, with a pilot, flight nurse and flight paramedic. It provides emergency medical helicopter transport from hospitals and EMS agencies in Eastern Iowa, West-Central Illinois and portions of Northeast Missouri to regional tertiary care facilities. During Thursday’s ceremony, Mr. Takacs told the crowd that within about six months, the company will announce an expansion of the areas it serves.
MedForce has four aircraft. They include state-of-the-art EC-H135 helicopters, and a EC-135 P2+ helicopter that are medically equipped and are capable of transporting a single patient requiring critical care at speeds of 160 mph. MedForce received delivery of its fourth helicopter in mid-September. Each aircraft will make about 1,200 patient flights per year, said Mr. Takacs.
MedForce works cooperatively with surrounding agencies to provide time sensitive care to acutely ill or injured patients. ( A list of those agencies can be found here.)
MedForce’s medical transport services have been increasingly needed, especially in rural areas, over the years. Mr. Takacs said this trend is happening because many rural areas are seeing reduced local services and personnel, so MedForce has often been called in to help.
The anniversary celebration also featured community and business leaders praising MedForce. Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher thanked the company for investing in and helping the community. Kevin Wellman of Quad Cities Bank & Trust also thanked the company for its work.Others at the ceremony – such as Mr. Cady – said they were happy to see the service grow and continue to help thousands of people every year.“I can’t say enough about MedForce. … It’s been an honor to be associated with them.” Mr. Cady added.
