Life Lion

04/09/2026

Penn State Health Life Lion Critical Care is seeking experienced Nurses to join our highly skilled critical care transport team serving Penn State Health and the surrounding region. Our Flight Nurses provide advanced clinical care to critically ill and injured patients in the air and on the ground throughout South-Central Pennsylvania.

As part of a CAMTS-accredited program operating under our own Part 135, Life Lion clinicians work in a dynamic environment that requires strong clinical judgment, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure. Our team manages complex medical, trauma, cardiac, neurological, neonatal, and high-acuity patient populations utilizing advanced critical care interventions.

Life Lion Critical Care operates from multiple bases in south-central Pennsylvania and plays a vital role in connecting patients to the advanced care resources of Penn State Health.

If you are looking to practice at the top of your license and make a meaningful impact in critical care transport, we encourage you to apply.

https://www.pennstatehealth.org/careers/flight-nurse-life-lion-1

03/17/2026

We’re excited to share a leadership update from Penn State Health Life Lion Critical Care Transport.

Please join us in congratulating Michael Fadale on his promotion to Chief Flight Nurse!

Mike brings more than 27 years of healthcare experience, including 21 years as a registered nurse and 14 years as a flight nurse. Over the past 12 years with Life Lion, he has played a critical role in delivering advanced patient care and supporting complex transport operations in the air medical environment.

In his new role, Mike will focus on strengthening safety, clinical excellence, education, quality improvement, and crew resilience across the program.

Mike has also dedicated more than a decade to the public safety aviation community through his work with Every Coast Helicopter Operations (ECHO HeliOps), where he supports peer initiatives, mentors future flight crew members, and serves on the Board of Directors. He also co-hosts the Valor Flight Crew Podcast.

Outside of work, Mike has volunteered with Pennsylvania Vent Camp for 25 years—an incredible testament to his commitment to service.

Congratulations, Mike—we’re proud to have you on the team!!

03/14/2026

Life Lion is fired up to be at Penn State Health Night with the Hershey Bears!

We love cheering on the Bears with our hometown fans and are proud to be part of the energy, excitement and community spirit.

Our crew is here as your neighbors, fans and healthcare team—let’s make it a night to remember!

If you’re at the game, be sure to stop by and say hello!

LET’S GO BEARS!!!

🚑🏒🐻🏒🚑

03/12/2026

It is with great honor and respect that we recognize Carlos Paq Patino-Quiroz for earning his wings. After completing a rigorous orientation, Carlos has proven himself ready to join the team. Today he becomes more than a colleague, he becomes family for life. Please join us in welcoming Carlos and his family to the Life Lion family.

03/04/2026

Paramedic Shaun Murphree is our Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Employee of the Month!

Shaun is known for his calm presence on the toughest calls, his clinical excellence, and the way he consistently goes the extra mile for patients, families, and our team. He exemplifies our values of trust, quality, and compassionate care every shift, representing the very best of Penn State Health on the streets and at the bedside.

Please join us in congratulating Shaun and thanking him for the outstanding care he provides to our community.

03/02/2026

03/02/2026

Please join us in congratulating Flight Paramedic Andrew Smith, MA, CPP for successfully completing orientation and officially earning his wings as a Flight Paramedic with Penn State Health Life Lion Critical Care!
Clearing flight orientation is no small achievement—it reflects months of dedication, clinical excellence, and a deep commitment to the patients and communities we serve. Andrew has demonstrated outstanding professionalism, adaptability, and the critical care expertise required to thrive in one of the most demanding roles in healthcare.
We are incredibly proud to welcome him into the Life Lion flight team and look forward to the impact he will continue to make, both in the air and at the bedside.
Well done, Andrew—your hard work has paid off!
Welcome to the Team!

02/16/2026

On Friday, the Penn State Health Life Lion team gathered to celebrate the retirement of Randy Emery, whose 26 years of dedicated service as a pilot with Life Lion has left a lasting impact on our team and the communities we serve.
After a distinguished aviation career in the military, Randy brought his leadership, discipline, and unwavering commitment to excellence to Life Lion, where he also served as a Director of Flight Operations. Over the course of more than two decades, he flew countless missions—responding in moments when seconds matter—providing critical care access and hope to patients and families across our region.
Randy is the consummate professional: compassionate, steady under pressure, mission-focused, and deeply committed to safety and service. His mentorship shaped generations of pilots and crew members, and his leadership strengthened our program in immeasurable ways.
While his presence on the flight line will be greatly missed, his legacy will continue in every mission flown and every life touched by this program. Randy, thank you for your extraordinary service, your leadership, and your dedication to this community. You will be missed Randy!

Wishing you blue skies and calm winds in this next chapter!

01/13/2026

Exciting leadership news for Penn State Health's Life Lion Emergency Services!
Penn State Health has appointed Dr. Chadd E. Nesbit (Lead EMS Physician & Division Chief) and Keith McMinn (Senior Director) to guide Life Lion under a new shared leadership model.
With decades of combined expertise in emergency medicine, prehospital care, operations, and critical care transport, they'll strengthen clinical excellence, boost efficiency, and deliver world-class emergency care across central Pennsylvania.
Dr. Nesbit brings deep EMS experience (from volunteer EMT roots to overseeing numerous agencies) and is advancing education + next-gen quality systems. Director McMinn has driven Life Lion's growth in EMS, transport, and community paramedicine while serving on key state and federal councils.
Together, they're committed to innovation, top-tier training, and being a trusted lifesaving resource for our communities!

01/09/2026

Now Hiring: Chief Flight Nurse – Life Lion Critical Care Air

Penn State Health Life Lion Critical Care is now accepting applications for the Chief Flight Nurse position!

This is a rare leadership opportunity to guide one of the region’s premier air medical programs. As Chief Flight Nurse, you’ll:
• Lead and inspire a highly skilled team of flight nurses and critical care professionals
• Shape the future of our clinical operations and patient care standards
• Collaborate closely with pilots, paramedics, physicians, and hospital leadership
• Help ensure we continue delivering exceptional, life-saving care across central Pennsylvania and beyond

If you’re a passionate, experienced flight or critical care nurse with strong leadership skills and a vision for advancing prehospital and transport medicine — we want to hear from you!

📢 Applications are open now!
👉 Apply here: https://www.pennstatehealth.org/careers/chief-flight-nurse-registered-nurse-rn-life-lion

Questions about the role or the team? Feel free to send us a DM or reach out directly — we’re happy to chat and share more about this exciting opportunity. 🚁❤️

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from the Penn State Health Life Lion Critical Care Transport and EMS Team! 🎉🚁
As we welcome 2026, we're reflecting on a busy 2025 filled with thousands of emergency responses, amazing teamwork, and unwavering commitment to our Central Pennsylvania communities. Thank you for trusting us and allowing us to serve you and your loved ones. We're honored to be here for you, 24/7/365, Air or Ground.
A huge thank you to our amazing , Maintainers, , , Medical Directors, , Specs, and our Leadership for your expertise, guidance, and passion throughout the year. You make Life Lion soar!
Here's to a safe, healthy, and bright 2026! 🦁❤️ Check out some of our 2025 year's highlights ->

12/25/2025

For more than 40 years, Dr. Sal Alfano has faithfully served Central Pennsylvania’s EMS community with unwavering leadership, advocacy, and dedication. He began his role as Medical Director in 1985 with West Shore Advanced Life Support and carried that responsibility through decades of growth and change, ultimately serving with Life Lion EMS.

Throughout his tenure, Dr. Alfano was not only a trusted Medical Director, but a true champion for EMS providers at every level. He supported our communications, billing, and fleet teams; served as a board member and committee leader with the Emergency Health Services Federation; helped develop the Cumberland County ALS plan in the early 1980s; and served as President of the Cumberland County EMS Council—all while working full time as an emergency physician at Holy Spirit Hospital.
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Individuals with this depth of commitment and service are rare. We are deeply grateful for Dr. Alfano’s decades of leadership, mentorship, and friendship, and we wish him the very best as he enjoys more time with his wife, Linda, and their children and grandchildren.

Thank you, Sal, for everything. Your legacy will continue to guide us.