PMHD and REACH renew preferred provider agreement

BRAWLEY — Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District and REACH Air Medical Services announced last week they will renew the preferred provider agreement that has existed between the two organizations since 2008.

The agreement was celebrated with a public signing ceremony at Pioneers Memorial Hospital on Friday.

“We’re excited to renew our preferred provider agreement with REACH Air Medical Services,” said Pioneers Chief Executive Officer Larry Lewis. “The agreement strengthens the relationship between Pioneers and REACH, and brings two top-level providers together to benefit the patients of Imperial Valley.”

REACH has been a preferred provider of emergency air medical transport services at PMHD since July 2008. Serving Imperial County and the surrounding communities from its 24-hour base locations in Imperial and Brawley, REACH employs two teams of highly trained and experienced pilots, flight nurses, and flight paramedics.

The renewed agreement with PMHD means REACH has secured its status as the primary provider of air medical transport services in the Valley at least until 2020, when its most recent agreement with El Centro Regional Medical Center is up for renewal.

As of last fall, REACH’s status was much more in doubt. In September 2017, ECRMC announced it would not seek to renew its agreement with REACH, which was due to expire on Jan. 27.

At the time, Dr. Christian Tomaszewski, a board member explained to attendees of the regular board meeting, patients would still be able to select the service provider of their choice. However, the hospital did eventually enter a new preferred provider agreement with REACH in late October.

Speaking in regard to the renewed agreement with PMHD, REACH Director of Business Strategy Donald Wharton said, “REACH is very proud to continue its work with Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District. We are committed to providing a first-class experience to the patients that are being transported on behalf of Pioneers. We can’t thank Pioneers enough for their renewed commitment and placing their trust in REACH.”