The statewide helicopter medical service LifeFlight of Maine has been named the top program of the year by the National Association of Air Medical Services. LifeFlight Executive Director Tom Judge accepted the award Oct. 20 at the organization’s annual conference in Minneapolis.

The critical care transport service was founded in 1998 as a collaboration between Central Maine Healthcare Corp. in Lewiston and Eastern Maine Healthcare in Bangor. Since then, LifeFlight of Maine has grown from serving a few hundred patients annually to transporting more than 1,400 patients in 2008. In total, LifeFlight helicopters have transported and provided medical care to more than 8,500 critically ill or injured patients.

LifeFlight has worked with hospitals and airports across the state to create a network of helipads, landing zones, weather monitors and communications systems. In 2005, the organization purchased two new helicopters equipped with advanced electronics to allow pilots to fly in a wider range of weather conditions. Night vision goggle technology is being implemented to aid the crew when flying after dark.

The national award recognizes an emergency medical transport program that has demonstrated a superior level of patient care, safety consciousness and community service.

On the Web: www.lifeflight

maine.org