Atlanta’s hospitals have long been at the forefront of providing lifesaving care to residents across Georgia and beyond. In an effort to strengthen emergency medical services, Grady Health System officially launched Grady Air, a new air ambulance, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at Fulton County Executive Airport on Wednesday.
Faster Air Ambulance Transport for Patients
According to Grady officials, the new service is designed to reduce critical transport times for patients in emergencies. Dr. Ryan Fransman, medical director of Grady Air, explained that the ability to deliver care quickly and decrease the time it takes to reach Grady Memorial Hospital would ultimately save lives. He emphasized that previous transport times had been “basically unacceptable,” and the new service would allow for greater access and outreach to patients who were previously difficult to reach.
Partnership with Air Methods
Grady Air was developed in collaboration with Air Methods, a leading private company that provides air ambulance services to more than 100,000 patients annually. The aircraft will be staffed entirely with Grady personnel, including nurses, paramedics, and critical care specialists, ensuring patients receive continuous medical attention during transport. Pilots from Air Methods will operate the helicopter.
Brandon Ryan, vice president of business development at Air Methods, noted in a statement that the company was proud to partner with Grady on this initiative, underscoring its mission to deliver critical care when and where it is needed most.
An Intensive Care Unit in the Sky
Described by Grady officials as a “mobile intensive care unit,” the aircraft is equipped with advanced medical technology to handle life-threatening emergencies. Fransman highlighted that the service could be seen as “an ICU in the sky,” offering patients critical interventions before they even reach the hospital.
Strengthening Regional Air Ambulance Response
In addition to Grady Air, Grady Memorial Hospital will continue to receive emergency medical aircraft from across the region, further enhancing its ability to respond quickly to urgent medical needs. With this launch, Atlanta’s emergency medical infrastructure takes a major step forward, ensuring that more patients across Georgia and the South can access timely, lifesaving care.
