posted December 05, 2024

Life Saver hosts special event to celebrate patients and their recoveries.

SYLACAUGA, AL, Dec. 3, 2024 – Life Saver’s emergency air medical crew welcomed three former patients at their base in Sylacauga on Dec. 3 for an emotional reunion with the caregivers and first responders who played critical roles in saving their lives.

Tracie Hughey, Aaron McLeod, and Mark Parrish shared their stories and personally thanked the flight nurses and paramedics who transported them, along with those who cared for them from Grandview Medical Center, Sylacauga Fire, Sylacauga Ambulance, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

In March, McLeod suffered life-threatening swelling in his lower body while at work in Anniston, AL. He was rushed to the emergency room and later airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham. While he has no memory of his flight, he was thankful to meet Flight Nurse Jared Pierce who transported him and was able to explain the care he received in the air.

“They brought a wheelchair out and took me into the emergency room, and I don’t remember anything else until I woke up in UAB in Birmingham. I’ve always wondered what went on in the interim,” said McLeod. “Today I met Jared, and I want to say thank you because God used you to save my life and to have a purpose.”

For Parrish, a visit to his hunting property in September of 2022, turned critical when he had a heart attack. Due to the remote nature of the property and the lack of a street address, the Clay County Sheriff’s office was contacted to help find him. Deputy Trent Adams and Dispatcher Stephanie Hamlin, who were instrumental in his rescue, joined Parrish at the reunion.

“Trent found me and got me to the Clay County Hospital and the helicopter was waiting,” said Parrish. “I remember taking off and I remember landing, but I later found out I coded three times somewhere in the process. What I do remember is a very good-looking woman hanging over me, and I got to meet her today.”

That woman was Tracie Hughey, who was a Life Saver flight nurse before she became a patient herself following a cardiac event at home last December.

“Being a flight nurse with Life Saver has been the best 15 years of my life. But on that day [of the cardiac event], it all came down to my daughter,” said Hughey. “When she realized I wasn’t breathing, she called 911, then started CPR and did it for 30 minutes until the fire department arrived and took over. By the time I got to the hospital, five Life Saver crew members were already there.”

She coded six times before the Life Saver team transported her to Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham where she stayed for a month.

Following the remarks, everyone in attendance had the opportunity to talk, share their appreciation, and make connections. Much of the medical staff from Grandview Medical Center treated both Hughey and Parrish, making a double reunion for them. Patients were also able to get a good look at the helicopter that transported them and see the medical equipment on board that allows it to function as a flying ICU.

“We transport so many patients and we never really know what the outcome is once we drop them off,” said Flight Nurse Taylor Ellison. “It is cool to have you all here and to celebrate your lives.”

Life Saver is part of Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider. Its helicopter carries the industry-leading equipment and medications needed to provide emergency care on board each flight. The highly trained and experienced flight nurses and flight paramedics carry blood that can be administered in flight, provide advanced airway intervention, and can perform the pre-hospital procedures needed to give patients the best chance at a positive recovery.