Aviation Medical Professionals
Since 2003 Vanguard Air Care has been a trusted provider in air transport medicine while providing 24-hour service for North America, with a focus on Manitoba. This includes locations in Norway House, Thompson, Island Lake and Winnipeg.
Vanguard’s highly trained medical staff care for patients with ease and compassion around the clock. The flight dispatch centre provides timely arrivals of dedicated King Air 200’s and medical teams. The specially trained aircrew ensure smooth, safe and efficient patient transfers.
We provide urgent medical evacuations, non-emergent and scheduled air ambulance services.
Critical Care
Continuous Education
Ongoing training is provided in-house through expert clinical educators to ensure that the medical crew members are current and comfortable in providing the highest level of care possible.
Vanguard provides annual Professional Development days for its crew members by bringing in external resources experienced in either critical care and or aeromedical transport.
Vanguard medical crew member minimum qualifications/certifications:
- Minimum of Two Years of Critical Care Experience
- Province of Manitoba Aeromedical Licence
- BCLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, ITLS Certifications
- ORNGE or CAMATA Aeromedical Theory Certifications
- Excellent Critical Thinking Skills
- Mentally and Physically Capable to Work in Remote Regions
- Comfortable with Air, Land and Water Operations
Wheels up in minutes from four MedEvac Bases in Manitoba
Vanguard transports patients daily from our four bases located in Manitoba. Transports can be either medical, surgical, cardiac, trauma, pediatric, high-risk OB, neuro, and burn patients from a number of remote Manitoba northern nursing stations to tertiary care facilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
VIEW MAPAdvanced Emergency Care
Our team of flight nurses and or Advance Care Paramedics use the latest technology and advanced education to transport patients who require advanced procedures, including advance airway insertion, needle thoracentesis, CPAP, biphasic defibrillation, pacing and cardioversion, intraosseous insertion (EZ-IO).
Vanguard Leadership Team
Ross Bale
Director of Air Ambulance Services
Ross Bale
Director of Air Ambulance Services
With 30 years in Emergency Medical Services, Ross brings an immense level of experience and knowledge to the Vanguard Team, and the patients we serve. Ross joined Vanguard in 2010 and is dedicated to ensuring that our Air Ambulance services set the standard for patient care. Ross retired from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service in 2012 to accept the role of Chief Flight Medic responsible for MedEvac Operations at Vanguard.
Throughout his career, Ross has held distinguished positions on various provincial and federal EMS committees. In addition, Ross operated a successful business serving the EMS industry, which received a number of achievement awards for customer service, underscoring his commitment to those he serves.
Ross’s hands-on approach in managing the MedEvac operation has helped to take Vanguard MedEvac to a new level of service delivery. Ross continually encourages and motivates the MedEvac Team; creating a safe, efficient and productive operation. Ross’s commitment to continual team support and coaching help ensure our medical staff are fully engaged in achieving success and providing optimum care.
BackJeff Bedosky
Clinical Operations Manager
Jeff Bedosky
Clinical Operations Manager
Jeff has been a paramedic for over 30 years and has worked in a variety of roles in that capacity. He served the community of Winnipeg for nearly 20 years before moving to an aeromedical environment. Jeff then moved to Vanguard as a flight paramedic in 2011 before transitioning to a remote industrial paramedic position in 2013.
More recently Jeff has developed his passion for teaching and adult education, and has recently had the opportunity to enhance his teaching abilities with simulated medical education.
An ACP since 2002, and a qualified flight medic since 2007. Jeff is a mentor and preceptor since 1992 and have taught PCP students through Criti-Care since 2012. Jeff is also certified to teach ACLS as well as PHTLS.
Kevin Lawes
Chief Pilot
Kevin Lawes
Chief Pilot
As a part of the Management Team Kevin’s duties involve responsibility for the professional standards and supervision of the pilots, developing standard operating procedures and developing and implementing all required approved training programs. Kevin has logged more than 3200 hours and is a captain on BE20, WW24, and previously flew the E170. Kevin earned his B.A. from University of Manitoba (2011).
BackSean McLaughlin
Person Responsible for Maintenance
Sean McLaughlin
Person Responsible for Maintenance
Sean is the Person Responsible for Maintenance Control for Vanguard Air Care. He is also the Quality Assurance Manager for Fast Air. Sean graduated from Confederation College with a diploma in aircraft maintenance, in 1996. Sean has worked in the aircraft maintenance field in Manitoba for 20 plus years.
BackMatt Johnson
Operations Manager
Matt Johnson
Operations Manager
With over 14 years in the industry, Matthew brings an extensive depth of aviation experience ranging from charter flying to instructor, as well as holding the position of Chief Pilot. As Vanguard’s Operations Manager, Matthew combines his exceptional abilities as a professional pilot with strong decision-making and sound management skills. His past experience as a flight instructor allows him to provide significant contributions and recommendations to our Vanguard Training Department. Matthew provides direction and leadership to the Vanguard Team in all aspects of the organization.
BackMedical Oversight
Dr. Paul Ratana
LLB, LLM, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Paul Ratana
LLB, LLM, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Ratana completed medical school at the University of Calgary and his Royal College training in emergency medicine at the University of Manitoba. Paul is an emergency physician on staff at St.Boniface Hospital, a teaching hospital and cardiac referral centre for the Province of Manitoba. His clinical work also includes physician supported critical care air transport.
BackDr. Zoe Piggott
MD, FRCPC
Dr. Zoe Piggott
MD, FRCPC
Dr. Piggott completed her MD at Queen’s University before moving to Winnipeg to start the University of Manitoba’s Emergency Medicine residency program. Since earning her FRCP-C in Emergency Medicine, she has been working as an academic and community emergency physician in Winnipeg. Professional interests include transport medicine, toxicology, and resident teaching. She also enjoys travel and gardening in her spare time.
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Fulfilling Careers
Vanguard Air Care is a great place to work and build your career. Our benefits package supports a wide variety of coverages. We have a matching savings plan, free parking, a workout room, state of the art aircraft systems and inspiring work culture.
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