On October 10th, one of our part-time flight nurses, who also serves as our unofficial point person for ECMO transport via the AirCare helicopter, was off duty when he was alerted to a critically ill patient in Augusta. The patient had just been placed on ECMO and urgently needed transport to an Atlanta facility, over three hours away, for heart transplant evaluation. Despite being off the clock, Dustin immediately stepped in. With both the referring hospital and AirCare still early in their ECMO transport experience, Dustin began orchestrating the entire mission from home. He coordinated communication with the referring team to obtain a detailed patient report, ensured the aircraft configuration was appropriate for ECMO transport, and monitored weather conditions to confirm the flight could be completed safely. He worked seamlessly with cardiovascular surgery teams, perfusionists, and ECMO specialists at both the referring and receiving facilities, aligning all parties and ensuring a shared understanding of the plan.

When it became clear the patient also had an additional cardiac assist device, one the team had limited hands-on experience with, Dustin didn’t hesitate. He volunteered to come in on his day off, take on duty, and assume full responsibility for managing the patient and these complex devices. Dustin began coordinating this transport around 1400 on 10/9. The aircraft didn’t lift off until 2100, and the mission wasn’t completed until 0400 the following morning. Throughout the entire process, he served as the ‘quarterback’ of the operation. Supporting the ECMO lead, ensured aircraft safety, and continuously checked in with every crew member to make sure they felt prepared, confident, and safe. His leadership extended beyond clinical excellence.

After the transport was complete and charting finished, Dustin didn’t just go home. Instead, he was seen walking out of the base still on the phone with a family member, providing updates, confirming arrival details, and making sure they had the correct contact information and knew exactly where their loved one was going. Dustin could have easily ignored the initial call on his day off. Instead, he chose to fully insert himself into one of the most complex, high-risk transports we perform. He became the central figure not only for the clinical team, but also for the patient’s family, offering calmness, clarity, and confidence during an incredibly uncertain time. Because of Dustin’s extraordinary dedication, leadership, and compassion, this patient was safely transported to the facility where they had a second chance at life.