Our History
1991: VitaLink was started. Initially VitaLink was self-dispatching when word of a referral to New Hanover Regional Medical Center was received.
1998: A second 12-hour ambulance was initiated. Our first quad-cab ambulance was received allowing all crew members to be in forward facing seats with shoulder straps when not on a patient transport segment.
2001: Regional Communications was created as the transfer center and dispatch center for NHRMC and VitaLink.
In August, AirLink began helicopter operations with a BK-117 Aircraft.
2002: Both VitaLink ambulances transitioned to 24 hour-a-day operations.
2003: AirLink transitioned to an EC-135 Helicopter.
2008: Night Vision goggles became standard equipment onboard AirLink and were required for all night flights.
VitaLink acquired a dedicated neonatal transport vehicle to support transport of this special population with the NHRMC NICU transport team.
2010: The BLS/ILS transport division joined VitaLink having previously operated as a part of New Hanover Regional Medical Center EMS. VitaLink also added two 12-hour ambulances to support peak operations, expanding to six daily critical care transport resources.
2012: AirLink expands with a second EC-135 helicopter.
AirLink 1 relocates from Wilmington International Airport to Holly Ridge, NC and AirLink 2 opens in Whiteville, NC, at Columbus Regional Healthcare.
Both AirLink and VitaLink begin offering point of care laboratory testing to obtain real-time laboratory results to aid in the diagnosis and management of several medical emergencies.
Antibiotics are added to the program formulary at the same time as a septic shock management protocol is implemented.
2013: AirLink/VitaLink becomes a transport service in the United States accredited by College of American Pathologists as a clinical laboratory.
The BLS/ILS Division expanded to support New Hanover County when a private ambulance service unexpectedly closed.
2015: ALS transport ambulances were placed into service to support the opening of NHRMC ED-North.
2016: Our ALS and BLS/ILS ambulance services are both expanded.
2017: AirLink begins carrying O- packed red blood cells on every flight.
2018: AirLink begins operation with a new Aviation partner, Apollo MedFlight based out of Amarillo, TX.
AirLink 1 relocated to Albert J Ellis Airport in Richlands, NC.
AirLink expanded its blood capabilities with the addition of plasma.