UTICA, N.Y. — The helipad serving Mohawk Valley Health System’s Wynn Hospital from atop the Oneida County parking garage officially opened after two weeks of testing and prepping, the health system announced.
“The addition of the helipad at Wynn Hospital is a significant milestone in our commitment to providing exceptional care to our community,” MVHS President/CEO Darlene Stromstad said in a news release. “Hospital helipads ensure that medical centers are accessible even from remote or congested areas, offering an alternative and faster route for patient transport. We are grateful for the partnership with Oneida County to ensure a helipad was located on the campus, and we appreciate the vital work helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) personal provide to the community.”
The Federal Aviation Administration certified the helipad earlier this month. Training flights followed to ensure HEMS personnel were familiar with the landing space as well as the route and process to bring patients to and from the Wynn Hospital emergency department.
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“Oneida County’s investment in expanding our parking garage to include this helipad reflects our commitment to providing top-tier health-care access for our residents,” Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. said in the release. “By ensuring the helipad is as close to the Wynn Hospital as possible, we’re maximizing the speed and efficiency of emergency patient transport, which is critical in life or death situations. This project underscores our dedication to enhancing health-care infrastructure and delivering the best outcomes for those in need.”
Only MVHS security and facilities staff have access to the helipad and the garage has a dedicated set of two elevators that can be locked out for just helipad/trauma support. The helipad and sidewalk from the parking garage to the emergency department are heated to allow use in inclement weather.
“The helipad at Wynn Hospital will absolutely contribute to more positive outcomes for patients being transported to or from Wynn via helicopter,” Mercy Flight Central President/CEO Jeff Bartkoski said. “This pad provides a safe and effective landing platform for Mercy Flight Central aircraft, enabling us to more expeditiously move the patient to the definitive care that they need. We are very pleased to use this helipad and know that it will help the community that we serve.”
With the opening of the new helipad, the old helipad at MVHS’s St. Luke’s campus closed.
