KyAAMS elects new officers

By JOHN HULTGREN
Kentucky EMS Connection

LEXINGTON — The Kentucky chapter of the Association of Air Medical Services elected new officers tonight at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington.

The new officers are:

• Dennis Kiper, a respiratory therapist for Louisville's Childrens Hospital Just for Kids transport team. Kiper was the association's first vice president and was elevated to president through a by-law amendment that changed the vice-president position to a "president elect" position.
• Jodie Hignite, chief flight nurse for Louisville Medical Center STATCARE. Hignite was the association's second vice president and was elevated to president elect through another by-law change that eliminated the second vice president position.
• Laura Otte, chief flight nurse for St. Joseph Hospital's Care Flight. Otte ran unopposed for the treasurer position.
• Rick McKinstry, flight nurse/educator for Louisville Medical Center STATCARE, who was elected secretary.

Another by-law amendment reduced the term of officers from two years to one.

Outgoing president John Isford and outgoing secretary George Glessner did not run for re-election.   Both held their positions for four years -- since the association was formed -- and were instrumental in developing the state chapter of the national association, which represents the air medical industry.

Outgoing treasurer Walter Middleton also did not seek re-election.

The state chapter's most notable accomplishments include:

• drafting the current Kentucky air ambulance regulations;
• the "Memorial Wings" program, which is a metal emblem worn nationwide by air medical providers that honors flight crew members killed in the line of duty;
• helping Indiana establish their own state chapter;
• developing a standardized helicopter safety program;
• participating in the development of a standardized Kentucky air ambulance run form; and
• writing position papers on the "pre-hospital nurse" and the "in-hospital paramedic."

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