Winter 2013

WINTER 2013
RotorWash
Rachel Anne Gray Inspires Loved
Ones to ‘RAGE’ On
If you were lucky enough to get a smile from Rachel Anne Gray—
and she was very free with her smiles—that smile would last
for a lifetime. So say many of her hundreds of friends who still
struggle with Rachel’s passing on September 2—35 days after a
horrific accident on the Rubicon Trail during the 60th annual
Jeepers Jamboree.
“Rachel had a smile that could light up the whole world,” said
longtime friend Sarah Chase. “When you got a smile from her, it
wasn’t something that you could ever forget.”
In this issue:
Rachel sustained critical injuries when the jeep she was driving
careened off a cliff, rolled a number of times and caught on fire.
›› continued on page 3
Matt Hall, who competes in the CalNeva Extreme Rock Crawling
Series, was one of the first at the scene of Rachel’s accident and
assisted in carrying her to the waiting CALSTAR 6 helicopter.
(Photo by Jim Parks)
2 First Responders: Teamwork Yields
Mutual Appreciation
5 CALSTAR Unveils New Salinas Crew Quarters,
Aircraft Fleet Additions
4 Birdies for Charity to Provide 20% Online
Donation Match through February 28
6 CALSTAR 4 Hosts Two-Day Seminar to
Enhance Obstetrical Transport Knowledge
First Responders:
Teamwork Yields Mutual Appreciation
›› continued from page 1 ››
Rachel Anne Gray
The incident happened near a place called Cadillac Hill.
According to the CHP, the jeep caught on fire causing Rachel to
suffer second- and third-degree burns over 75 percent of her body.
She also had other major injuries.
Thanks to first responders from the CHP and the El Dorado
County Sheriff’s Department, as well as off-duty firefighters who
happened to be nearby, the fire was put out fairly quickly. By this
time, however, the damage to Rachel had been done. CALSTAR
6 from South Lake Tahoe was on scene within 17 minutes and
transported Rachel to the Burn Center at UC Davis Medical
Center in Sacramento. The flight crew was made up of pilot Mark
Davis and critical care nurses Jacob Ricks and Nathan Schwab.
Rachel battled her grave injuries for more than a month before
passing away surrounded by her large family in the very early
hours of September 2. Rachel’s family later thanked CALSTAR for
“giving us an additional 35 days with our daughter.”
In every sense of the word, according to family and friends,
Rachel was a remarkable young woman. “She was always looking
to have fun, to move on to the new adventure,” said friend Chris
Patton. “Her enthusiasm for life was so tremendous that she
earned the nickname, ‘RAGE.’ Everyone wanted to spend time
with her, and she embraced all that she came into contact with.”
Several years ago, Rachel came up with her own philosophy for
life: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the
places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can,
as long as you ever can.”
circumstances on the ground were a bit frantic. The scene involved
a critically injured young person, and time was of the essence.
CALSTAR was already en route. “When the CALSTAR helicopter
landed, things seemed to calm down dramatically,” Bombace
recalled. It was a prime example of the need for swift and expert
collaboration between those on the ground and the flight team.
Bombace, a 16-year veteran paramedic, met CALSTAR flight
nurse Ellen Gott Perry-Thistle as she headed to the ambulance
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On September 16 nearly 500 individuals, including several
CALSTAR crew members, gathered to honor Rachel with a
celebration of life observance at Prairie City in Rancho Cordova.
Friend Cathi Hall spoke eloquently about Rachel and indicated
what the term RAGE now means to her. “By definition, rage
means a sudden and extreme anger, but today I am changing
the meaning of the word,” she said. “To rage is to live your life
surrounded by family, friends and loved ones and to live each
day to its fullest with compassion, laughter and to truly never
take a day for granted. I make this vow to all of you today and
hope you make it as well. I promise to live my life with RAGE
from this day on, and this is how we will honor our beloved
Rachel.”
In addition to her hundreds of friends, Rachel is survived by her
parents Leesea Williams, Tom Gray and Bridget Gray; sister Page
Gray; brother Tommy Gray; grandparents Darlene Christler, Dan
Christler and Frances Gray; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Rachel Anne Gray
To say that Rachel lived a full life would be a tremendous
understatement. She was an avid distance runner for enjoyment
and life balance. She completed many distance races, including
her first ultra-marathon just months before her passing. She
became so good that she won her age group in the famous Eppie’s
Great Race Triathlon in Sacramento. Along the way, she earned a
black sash in the martial art of kung fu.
Sean Bombace, shown here with
CALSTAR flight nurse Karlene
Hill, said his agency interfaces
smoothly with CALSTAR on a
wide variety of calls.
Sean Bombace, an Alameda County paramedic,
remembers a particularly challenging call last summer
to a popular outdoor recreation area. When he arrived,
Soon after the accident, a foundation was set up to help offset
medical expenses and to fly in relatives to visit with Rachel. After
she died, it was decided that The RAGE Foundation (https://
www.facebook.com/RAGEFoundation) would remain intact as
a way to memorialize Rachel. So far, the foundation has made
donations to the UC Davis Burn Center, the Yosemite Foundation
and Shriners Hospital.
to assess the patient. “I gave her a quick rundown, and we got
the patient packaged and expedited immediately to the nearest
hospital. It all went so smoothly. It’s appreciated, and kudos go to
CALSTAR and Ellen.”
Also on board the MD 902 Explorer air ambulance called to the
scene was flight nurse Ashley Johnson, as well as veteran pilot
Paul Towell.
Bombace sent a note to CALSTAR later, saying he “just wanted to
pass along how great a job they did and thank the crew for their
prompt response and professionalism.” The instant coordination
›› continued on back page
Rachel’s love of nature coupled with the challenge of ascending
mountains frequently took her to Yosemite. She also was a huge
4-wheel-drive enthusiast and had driven on the Rubicon Trail
many times in the past.
A resident of El Dorado Hills, Rachel graduated from Bella Vista
High School in 2008. She took on three jobs after high school and
enrolled at California State University, Sacramento. In just three
years she earned a degree in international business.
Shortly before her death, Rachel earned a real estate license and
seemed to have settled into real estate as a career. “She would
have excelled in real estate, just like she would have excelled
in any chosen career path,” Chase said. “That’s just the way she
was.”
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Birdies for Charity to Provide
20% Online Donation Match through
February 28
CALSTAR is delighted to partner with the Monterey
Peninsula Foundation through the Birdies for Charity
program again in 2013. Birdies for Charity is an
exciting opportunity for our organization to raise money
through the 2013 AT&T Pebble Beach National ProAm golf tournament and receive up to a 20% match on
every donation received. During the program’s five-year
history, Birdies for Charity has helped Northern California
charities raise over $1,200,000.
Monterey Peninsula Foundation is a nonprofit foundation
which hosts the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am,
one of the most recognized and beloved golf tournaments
on the PGA TOUR. The Foundation administers Birdies for
Charity and covers all associated costs including processing
pledge forms, prizes, and collecting donations. This ensures that
100% of donations through Birdies for Charity will go directly
to CALSTAR, plus up to a 20% match. Additionally, all of your
information will be kept strictly confidential and will not be used
in any way by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation.
CALSTAR Unveils New Salinas Crew
Quarters, Aircraft Fleet Additions
President and CEO Lynn Malmstrom, Chief Financial
Officer Mark Vincenzini and Regional Director Ross Fay
joined CALSTAR 5 flight crew members in hosting a
reception and ribbon cutting at the Salinas Airport on
December 13.
The purpose of the reception was to show off CALSTAR 5’s
significantly upgraded crew quarters. A large contingent of
elected and non-elected officials as well as first responders from
throughout Monterey County attended the event.
In addition to touring the new quarters, those in attendance also
were able to get an up-close look at CALSTAR’s new King Air B200
fixed wing air ambulance as well as one of the company’s first
new Eurocopter EC135 helicopters. Featuring CALSTAR’s bold
new aircraft paint scheme, up to eight EC135s will be purchased
and assimilated into CALSTAR’s rotor wing fleet as part of the
company’s comprehensive fleet upgrade and standardization plan.
Malmstrom thanked those who attended, and said the crew
quarters upgrade was done to show appreciation for and to
better support CALSTAR 5’s dedicated personnel. Fay noted that
the timing of the crew quarters unveiling provided a fortunate
opportunity to showcase CALSTAR’s new aircraft as well.
CALSTAR 5 was established in 2002 and primarily serves
Monterey County, San Benito County, Santa Cruz County and
northern San Luis Obispo County.
The Foundation will match all donations made between now
and February 28. This is a great opportunity to ensure your
dollars go further in support of CALSTAR’s mission, with
added benefits:
• Every pledge made online at http://www.attpbgolf.
com/charity/birdies-for-charity/pledge is matched
20% (a maximum match of $1,000 per pledge).
• Donations made with the pledge form, which can
be downloaded and printed at the web address
listed above, are matched 15% (a maximum
match of $750 per pledge). If using the pledge
form, please return the completed form by the
February 28 deadline to: CALSTAR Membership,
4933 Bailey Loop, McClellan, CA 95652.
• Each donor is entered for a chance to win two (2) United
Airlines roundtrip tickets (up to $500 each) and one (1) night
at The Inn at Spanish Bay with a golf package for two (2) at
The Links at Spanish Bay.
If you have any questions about the Birdies for Charity program, please contact Mike Nichols at
916-921-4094 or mnichols@calstar.org.
CALSTAR introduced its upgraded Salinas crew quarters and new aircraft to local officials and EMS partners on December 13.
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Recent Hires
& Promotions
Give the Gift of CALSTAR in 2013!
The holiday season may be over, but CALSTAR memberships make great gifts for birthdays
and other special occasions throughout the year. Gift memberships for families and
individuals can be purchased online at www.calstar.org/membership or by calling
1-888-207-LIFE (5433).
MEMBERS
CALSTAR is pleased to welcome the following new team
members and congratulate those who have assumed new
roles since our last publication:
Kevin Barber • Pilot
Kasey Beckman • Flight Nurse
Pamela Boody • Communications Specialist I
Gennifer De Paoli • Flight Nurse
CALSTAR 4 Hosts Two-Day Seminar to
Enhance Obstetrical Transport Knowledge
Thanks to a grant from the Allen-Heath Memorial Foundation,
CALSTAR 4 in Ukiah was able this past December to stage a twoday, comprehensive obstetrical transport education course for
CALSTAR flight nurses and other local emergency responders.
According to Deborah Pardee, CALSTAR’s Northern California
regional director, 26 flight nurses from throughout the company’s
nine-base region as well as six pre-hospital providers from
Mendocino and Lake Counties attended the event, which was held
December 4-5 at the Mendocino County Public Health Department.
“Those taking the course were not only able to hone up their
obstetrical knowledge but also were able to pick up valuable
continuing education credits,” Pardee said.
The instructor for the course was Pam Adams, RN/EMT-P,
president of OBSTAT, Inc., an organization designed to educate
critical care personnel who provide flight or ground obstetrical
transports. She has a 24-year background in nursing and 27 years
of experience in emergency medicine.
The rigorous two-day program included the following topics:
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Fetal assessment and surveillance
Fetal monitor strip interpretation
Assessment of the pregnant patient
Conditions warranting transport and stabilization
Emergency childbirth
Complicated deliveries
Michael Dubina • Maintenance Shop Helper
Josh Judge • Pilot
Candace Moore • Communications Specialist I
• Outreach/referral facility education
• Case studies
• Medical/legal considerations
Pardee noted that the Allen-Heath Memorial Foundation
has been very generous to CALSTAR over the years and no
doubt has played an integral role in enhancing health care
throughout Mendocino County and beyond. “We are very
grateful,” she said.
Julie Crow-Petersen • Flight Nurse
Sharon Scott • Inventory Control Specialist I
Xandra Smith • CALCOM Supervisor
Julie Young • Communications Specialist I
CALSTAR Board of Directors
The OBSTAT course hosted by CALSTAR 4 in December was
funded by the Allen-Heath Memorial Foundation.
Kenneth Meehan, Board Chairman
Associate Member
Lynn Malmstrom, Board President
President & CEO – CALSTAR
Michael Heil
Principal, HealthWorks, Inc.
Associate Member
Jen Sweeney
Vice President, Physician Contracts & Business Development
Regional Medical Center of San Jose
Kacey Hansen
Director, Trauma and Transfer Services
John Muir Health, Walnut Creek
Dionne Miller
Chief Operating Officer
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
CALSTAR Management Team
Lynn Malmstrom – President & CEO
Mark Vincenzini – Chief Financial Officer
Tad Henderson – Chief Operations Officer
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Member Hospitals:
Affiliate Hospitals:
Howard Memorial Hospital
Mendocino Coast District Hospital
4933 Bailey Loop • McClellan, CA 95652
www.calstar.org
Natividad Medical Center
Saint Louise Regional Hospital
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
Ukiah Valley Medical Center
›› continued from page 2 ››
First Responders
and teamwork helped bring about the best possible outcome for
the young patient.
went into nursing because no matter how bad your day is, you
know your work has meaning. That’s invaluable.”
Inter-agency appreciation goes both ways. According to PerryThistle, “We often refer to the ‘EMS family’ – there is a lot of
built-in respect, camaraderie and teamwork within the groups
that respond to emergencies. It’s the foundation for providing safe
and effective patient care. We all have the same goal…the best
possible outcome for the patient, so we work together, trust and
help each other get everything done for the patient.”
Bombace agrees. “Ultimately, everyone works toward one goal:
the patient’s outcome. From the 911 dispatch to the first fire
crew to the transporting ambulance to the helicopter crew to the
hospital staff, every person is a vital cog in the wheel.”
He emphasizes that early recognition is key. “You need to make
the right destination decision. After recognizing and establishing
the appropriate logistics, multiple agencies may be involved.
Perry-Thistle recalls working with Bombace on other occasions,
Often, with a helicopter, the issue is time sensitive, meaning
and remembers him as a great team player. “Sean is a pleasure to
there is a trauma patient or a myocardial infarction patient who
work with, and a very good medic,” she said.
needs to go to a STEMI center, or sometimes multiple patients.”
A STEMI, or ST Elevation Myocardial
“I feel confident on calls because I know
Infarction, is a type of severe heart attack.
I’m surrounded by people with the right
Coordinating with emergency responders,
training and experience, with safety as
"...We all have the same
staff at STEMI centers aim to complete a
the first priority. It’s an impressive group
goal…the best possible
“door-to-balloon” intervention within 90
of professionals -- the EMTs, paramedics,
minutes of the patient’s arrival.
outcome for the patient,
firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and
my fellow flight nurses. The patients are
He also notes that over time, processes
so we work together,
cared for with empathy and skill.”
are becoming more standardized, as is
trust and help each
equipment among the various providers,
Working together as a team feels good,
other get everything
and that some regions are becoming more
Perry-Thistle added. “Someone’s family
proactive about team management and
done
for
the
patient.”
really needs us. We debrief after every call,
coordination – which makes work that
and check in with the ground crews and let
much more efficient.
them know any information we were able
to discover about the patient’s outcome. We talk about whether
Though his primary area is Oakland, Bombace has worked in
there was anything we could have done better. It’s a job in which
other parts of the Bay Area. He was formerly a military combat
we are always thinking critically. It informs our performance for
medic and a Navy hospital corpsman. A father of two, Bombace
the future.”
says that calls involving young people are always difficult, but
that you have to remember that you may be providing the care
The collaborative feeling between emergency responders is well
that saves their lives.
established. “I’ve been lucky to be a part of it, it’s an amazing
thing,” she said. “My years of service are on top of an old
Every call, not just the ones that are so challenging, requires grace
foundation. To be part of the EMS family is really a gift.”
under pressure among all providers, he said. “It’s very rewarding
– you can tell when you’re working cohesively as a team, how
Perry-Thistle was an ER tech before becoming an RN, and she
much smoother everything goes. I’ve had that experience with
served as an ICU nurse at UCSF prior to coming to CALSTAR. “I
CALSTAR.”
Our Mission:
To save lives, reduce disability and speed recovery for victims of trauma
and illness through rapid transport, quality medical care and education.