Ascension Seton recognized for investment in STAR Flight, vaccines

The Travis County Commissioners Court recently honored Ascension Seton for its long-standing relationship to maintain the Shock Trauma Air Rescue (STAR) Flight Program, which provides air medical transport to individuals in Travis County in immediate need of emergency care. The court read a proclamation recognizing:

• The partnership between Travis County, Austin-Travis County EMS and STAR Flight in the delivery of life-saving services such as water rescue, land rescue, fire suppression and law enforcement assistance
• Ascension’s contribution of $540 million per year in charity care and community benefit and serving as the public safety net hospital for Travis County as part of their mission to advocate for a compassionate and just society
• Ascension’s leadership in emergency care throughout its healthcare system and in their $10 million community investment over the last five years to Travis County for the support of the STAR Flight program
• The commitment, compassion and bravery of STAR Flight employees resulting in the transport and delivery of more than 2,400 patients to critical care over the past five years alone

“STAR Flight helicopters and crews frequently land at Dell Seton Medical Center hospital and Dell Children’s as well as other hospitals in the area,” said Chuck Brotherton, Travis County Executive for Emergency Services. “But the partnership with Ascension Seton is key and critical to the ongoing success of the program. Not only do we have landing capabilities for the aircraft at Dell Seton Medical Center and Dell Children’s, we also have fueling available at those two hospitals and we have crew quarters available – all part of the partnership and this $10 million investment Ascension Seton has made in the program.”

“I think we citizens are so lucky to have this life-saving tool in our community,” said Commissioner Ann Howard. “Last week, we heard a testimony to a life saved in the western part of the county because of not just the rescue itself but the immediate medical attention by the doctor that arrives with the helicopter. I’m moved by how fortunate we are to live in a community that has so many state-of-the-art tools.”

The commissioners court then recognized Ascension’s collaboration with Travis County and other partners in the delivery of more than 314,000 vaccinations over the last 15 months. This included the first drive-through vaccine operation at the constable 4 precinct headquarters as well as the vaccination services provided at Circuit of the Americas and the Travis County Expo Center.

“One of the groups that was first in line to make sure that all of our community had access to testing and access to vaccines was Ascension Seton," said Commissioner Jeff Travillion. "You all have answered the call and worked hard to make sure our entire families are protected. Amidst all the clamor and noise, you still reached out to communities that often have not been reached out to and are distrustful because of that, and we’ve worked together consistently to make sure that we address that mistrust and create an opportunity to work and serve together,” he said.