Across the country, emergency medical professionals are trained to respond at a moment’s notice®. But sometimes circumstances make a difficult situation even more challenging — especially when severe weather, distance or road conditions limit critical access to care.
That’s exactly what happened during a recent call in western Illinois, when Flight Nurse Julie Humes of Air Evac Lifeteam proved what going above and beyond really means.
Julie is one of this year’s Stars of Life, an honor recognizing EMS professionals whose actions reflect extraordinary dedication. Her story is a powerful reminder of how essential timely care is — and how quickly emergencies can become complex when conditions deteriorate.
Weather delays, a violent collision and a life in peril
What began as a routine shift quickly changed when reports came in of a head-on collision on a rural road outside Macomb, Illinois. The patient was critically injured, bleeding heavily, and in need of immediate advanced care.
But there was a problem.
A thick layer of fog had settled across the region, grounding the air medical team. What would ordinarily be a rapid response by air became a situation where every minute mattered.
Instead of waiting for conditions to improve, Julie made a brave decision; she volunteered to go by ground vehicle, despite the risks and dangerous conditions, so she could reach the patient as quickly as possible.
Once on scene, she delivered life-saving interventions, stabilizing the critically injured victim and staying with them through handoff at the receiving hospital.
Her decisive action helped save a life — in a situation where delay could have had devastating consequences.
Why stories like Julie’s matter
Julie’s courage is inspiring, but her situation isn’t uncommon.
Many communities — especially rural ones — face unique challenges during emergencies:
- Long distances to trauma centers
- Terrain and geography that can slow traditional transport
- Limited local medical resources
For patients, the difference between life and death can depend on how quickly a specialized critical care team can reach them.
And for families, the difference between stability and financial hardship often comes down to whether they have a plan in place before the unexpected happens.
An AirMedCare Network (AMCN) membership means no out-of-pocket costs for emergency air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider.
It offers something everyone deserves — financial peace of mind — especially during moments no one plans for.
A commitment to showing up — every time
The Stars of Life program celebrates EMS professionals like Julie who rise to the challenge and go above and beyond.
Her actions reflect the mission at the heart of Global Medical Response: providing care to the world at a moment’s notice®, even when obstacles stand in the way.
Julie didn’t wait for perfect conditions.
She didn’t wait for skies to clear.
She acted — because her patient needed her.
And because of that, someone’s loved one went home.
Protect yourself and your family
Emergencies happen without warning — on rural roads, during holiday travel, under stormy skies or close to home.
While you can’t predict when or where you’ll need help, you can prepare for the financial impact of emergency air transport.
An AMCN membership provides:
- No out-of-pocket costs when flown by an AMCN provider
- Coverage across 320+ locations in 38 states
- A safety net that adds true financial peace of mind
See if AirMedCare Network services your area and join today.
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