VCU Health opens new Mecklenburg County base, boosting emergency air services

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health's LifeEvac has opened a new base at the VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital location in Mecklenburg County on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Feb. 4, VCU Health announced in a press release that its LifeEvac program opened a new base at the VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) in Mecklenburg County to bring emergency air transport to patients to Southside Virginia.

By working with local EMS and first responders, the helicopter will provide fast transit for patients with life-threatening emergencies, creating faster access for any advanced care they may require.

The addition of LifeEvac 5 marks the fourth helicopter in the air medical fleet, progressing CMH's efforts to improve critical care services and transform into a Level III trauma center designation.

“Timing is extremely important in trauma care,” said Sheldon Barr, president of VCU Health CMH. “Working towards a Level III trauma program means patients can receive critical treatment right here in our Southside community, with the support of family and friends, because healing happens best closer to home.” 

With the new base in Mecklenbery new open, LifeEvac is now able to provide care across the state, decrease any delays in service and lower wait times during medical emergencies.

Additionally, the expansion is able to address different challenges of rural health care by creating faster transportation times and expanding its emergency services to underserved areas.

The new aircraft contains advanced life-saving technology that is usually found in intensive care units. The base will also be staffed with flight nurses and flight paramedics who provide care for adults and children suffering from trauma and brain injuries, strokes, heart attacks and more.

“This new base marks a major step forward in our commitment to providing rapid, high-quality critical care to all of the communities we serve,” said Benjamin “Cody” Main, aviation outreach coordinator at VCU Health. “This base is more than an expansion — it’s a critical asset for the health and safety of southern Virginia. With this added capability, we’re improving access to life-saving care and ensuring patients can count on the additional support they deserve when every minute matters.”