VCU news

By Michael Ford
University News Services

Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center's helicopter transport service, known as VCU LifeEvac, was among 40 organizations or individuals participating in Career Day activities at South Anna Elementary School, 13122 Walton's Tavern Road, in Hanover County.

The list of professions represented included firefighters, police, physicians, attorneys, game wardens, professional athletes and nuclear power engineers. South Anna Elementary School counselor Kate Besley and other organizers were hopeful the workforce professionals would provide students insight into a variety of careers, reinforce workforce skills and the classroom management system.

Launched in October 2001, VCU LifeEvac is a partnership between the VCU Health System and Rocky Mountain Helicopters of Provo, Utah. RMH owns and maintains the aircraft and supplies the pilots, while VCU provides a 14-person medical staff made up of critical care nurses and paramedics with one of each flying on each mission. On June 4, the LifeEvac contingent included flight nurse Terry Miffleton, flight nurse Beth Szulczeski, flight paramedic Dan Barry and pilot Bob Irsik. Attending Career Day and juggling two roles that day was Melissa Hunt, director of the Department of Bed Management at the VCU Medical Center and mother of two South Anna students. Hunt spent the day with the crew as they offered a "special show and tell presentation" of the helicopter and talked about medical careers to multiple groups of students during a six-hour visit to the school.

"Speaking as a hospital employee, I thought I might burst with pride. Terry, Beth, Dan and Bob did a fantastic job of representing the health system," Hunt said. "They greeted children, teachers, parents and other EMS workers all day with the same smiles and patience. Easily talking about their jobs and their training. They showed great flexibility dealing with changing weather, last minute class scheduling changes and clouds of flying insects. They even used the occasion to incorporate a safety lesson to the children about proper seatbelt use."

South Anna Elementary is one of Hanover County's 13 public elementary schools. First opened in 1983, the school currently serves about 735 students, kindergarten through fifth grade. In 2000-2001, the U.S. Department of Education recognized South Anna Elementary as a Blue Ribbon School. Having passed all Standards of Learning assessment areas for the past three years, SAES is fully accredited by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

"Most of the children were between the ages of 6-9. They were very excited and had multiple questions," Hunt said. "The crew worked so well together that almost every child got some 'special attention' such as sitting in the pilot's seat, climbing into the back to see equipment or having their very important question answered."

"Special needs students were repeatedly accommodated by the crew as they found a way for each child to experience the helicopter. As a parent, I was especially touched as I watched the LifeEvac staffers help a blind child to "see" the helicopter by touching the outside. Later, as he sat in the pilot's seat, the student informed us that he is going to learn to fly," Hunt said.

In her role as parent, Hunt has gone back to another South Anna school event since the career day and has been approached by other parents complimentary of the LifeEvac effort.

"They have not just mentioned the impressive equipment, but also the impressive people that were the 'highlight' of Career Day," said Hunt. "So from the parents and staff of South Anna Elementary School, I offer our gratitude for a job well done. Thanks to the crew for investing their time with our children and our community."