A Flight That Changed Everything: Discovering My Path Through Mercy Flights
When I first joined the Mercy Flights program at Phoenix High School, I never imagined I would end up choosing a future in healthcare. Growing up, I was terrified of anything medical: needles, doctor visits, hospitals, all of it. But everything changed the summer after my freshman year when I became seriously ill at 15 and had to be flown by Mercy Flights fixed wing aircraft to OHSU. It was my first medical emergency and my first time on a plane. The experience was overwhelming and frightening, but the Mercy Flights crew left a lasting impact. Their calmness, kindness, and focus made me feel safe in a moment when nothing else did.
Because of that experience, I was curious when I learned that Phoenix High School was offering an emergency services class in partnership with Mercy Flights. I was nervous to join at first because my last experience with paramedics had happened under very traumatic circumstances, but meeting Steve, Ground Supervisor, Eliza, Paramedic, and Lisa, Paramedic, changed everything. They made me feel welcomed, supported, and safe from the moment I walked into the classroom.
When we began practicing hands on skills like CPR and basic life support, it took time for me to feel comfortable. Old memories surfaced, and some of the skills reminded me of my emergency flight. But Steve, Eliza, and Lisa always seemed to notice when I was struggling. They supported me patiently and without judgment, guiding me at a pace that helped me regain confidence instead of fear.
As I grew more comfortable, I opened up and shared my story with them. Steve even helped me reconnect with the Mercy Flights Nurse who had flown me during my emergency and someone I had remembered ever since. Meeting her again, this time in a calm and meaningful way, brought a sense of closure I did not know I needed.
Through this program, I earned my Basic Life Support certification, something I never imagined I would be able to accomplish. I learned about many different healthcare careers and realized that even though becoming a paramedic isn’t the path I want to take, healthcare absolutely is. With the support of my teachers and the Mercy Flights team, I discovered that I want to work in occupational health and become a nutritionist after graduation.
One of the most important things I realized is that many students never consider a future in healthcare simply because they do not have access to the right resources or someone to show them what is possible. The partnership between Mercy Flights and Phoenix High School is changing that. Through classroom support, hands on skills training, mentorship, and real world exposure to emergency services, they are opening doors for students who might never have seen themselves in this field. They helped me turn something traumatic into something empowering. They helped me discover what I am passionate about.
“I am grateful for this program and proud of the future I am working toward because of it.”
– Joselyn, Phoenix High School Student
Community Outreach
Mercy Flights actively works to create safe and clinically excellent prehospital care for everyone in our community. To maximize the pursuit of this goal, we are often found providing continuing medical education and safety training for our first response partners and community members.
Clinical Training
Mercy Flights operates an American Health Association (AHA) Training Site under the guidance of The Resuscitation Group National Training Center. In this role, our agency provides AHA training in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Basic Life Support (BLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). We also offer the NAEMT class for Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) for area responders. Mercy Flights also partners with local the local Area Trauma Advisory Board (ATAB) for Stop the Bleed training.
In addition to training provided for responders, Mercy Flights serves community members by providing ongoing CPR and First Aid courses for many different organizations and programs. These classes are facilitated through our Mercy Flights Explorer program which offers experience to high school aged students pursuing careers in health care.
Mercy Flights is also proud to host nationally recognized training programs through IAMED and ASTNA which provides training programs such as the Flight Medical Provider Course and the Transport Professionals Advanced Trauma Care.
Safety Training
Mercy Flights offers area training to improve safe operations in emergency situations that require the use of our helicopter for transport. This training is provided to agencies throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California who utilize our aircraft. The training provides educational opportunities regarding the use of air medical resources, the level of care provided by our Flight Team, and response information for the areas we serve. During this outreach, providers are given hands on training to establish and control safe landing zones, patient packaging and loading procedures.
If you or your agencies are interested in participating in any of our clinical or safety education please contact Mercy Flights.
Mobile Integrated Healthcare
Our Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program fosters healthier communities by emphasizing the importance of providing the right care, at the right time, in the right place, and at the right cost.
Find Out More
Our partnerships matter. They matter to us and to the families, friends and neighbors we collectively serve. Individually, our teams do incredible work, but together, we can enhance the way emergency medical services are managed and delivered in our communities. Our combined expertise, resources and shared vision make for a healthier Southern Oregon.
Community activities
- Career Days: Middle and high schools in Jackson and Josephine County.
- Partnership with South Medford Medical Pathways Club: Includes the Bulldogs to Raiders program for minority students in the county.
- Explorer Post: Open to all high school age students in southern Oregon.
- Internship opportunities for Community Colleges: Throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California. The training department also visits colleges throughout the state to introduce students to career opportunities at Mercy Flights.
