Valley Med Flight honors two in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

An Iron Mountain man is among two Valley Med Flight staff members from the Upper Peninsula recently recognized as one of the company’s Employees of the Year. Iron Mountain base paramedic Adam Burton was selected as Fixed Wing Clinician of the Year. A Valley Med Flight employee for three years, Burton lives in Iron Mountain with his wife, Emily, and two children, Olivia and Brades. “Burton brings professionalism and passion to his work,” said Jake Smith, program director for Valley Med Flight, adding, “His personality is infectious, creating a comfortable environment for his patients.” Escanaba base pilot Conrad Mulford was named Rotor Wing Pilot of the Year. Mulford has been employed with Valley Med Flight for three years. He lives in the Marquette area with his wife, Clare, and twin boys Finn and Jack. “Compassionate and professional encapsulates Conrad’s work ethic,” Smith said. “He raises the professional bar for others to follow.” Valley Med Flight employs more than 100 pilots, mechanics paramedics, nurses and support staff for its 10 bases. Five bases operate fixed-wing aircraft and five bases fly helicopters. It has three bases in Michigan, two bases in Minnesota, four based in North Dakota, and a base in Montana. Valley Med Flight is a part of Guardian Flight, with headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Guardian Flight operates a fleet of about 85 fixed- and rotor-wing aircraft dedicated to air medical flights in the Upper Midwest, Mountain West, Southwest, Alaska, and Hawaii. Guardian Flight has more than 800 professional staff, including clinical providers, pilots, mechanics, trained communicators, and support staff. Guardian Flight companies also include Eagle Air Med, serving parts of Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota, Colorado, and Utah; Hawaii Life Flight in Hawaii and Guardian Flight in Alaska and Wyoming. Companies also include Gallup Med Flight and MedStar in New Mexico, Alaska Regional LifeFlight in Alaska, MountainStar AirCare operating in Utah, North Central Air Care in northern Ohio and AeroCare Medical Transport serving in Arizona and New Mexico. For more information, go to www.guardianflight.com/.