Lions Club Mixes Knowledge Seeking With Acts of Charity

Pictured (center): AirMed flight paramedic and guest speaker Anthony Widdison and wife, Holly, who is also a paramedic, are flanked by Payson Lions Club President Rhett Huff (left) and Vice-President Pat Hartzell (right).

The Payson Lions Club blends good deeds, eyeglasses for children among them, with knowledge gaining in the community, inviting experts in fields close to home to speak at monthly meetings. Such was the case last Thursday night at the Payson City Banquet Hall, when flight paramedic, Anthony Widdison joined the group for dinner catered by Dalton's Restaurant, with discussion after concerning his work University of Utah's AirMed base at Mountain View Hospital.

The AirMed helicopter landed in Payson fourteen months ago, providing transport service to trauma patients, burn victims, obstetrics (OB) and pediatric patients in the region, said Widdison. The permanent base was moved from the Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem, where operation was limited to twelve hours a day, to Mountain View Hospital, bringing 24/7 service to people in southern Utah County.

The move meant improved access to rural areas in Utah County, according to Widdison. “This made a lot of sense,” he said. “So far, it's been very successful.”

As a flight paramedic, he works within a rotating schedule filled by professionals  The local AirMed team includes an on-duty pilot, flight nurse, flight paramedic, as well as ventilation staff and full-time mechanics. professionals. Pilots are restricted to no more than twelve-hour workdays, he said, in accordance with Federal standards.  

“We have a really good mix,” he said, noting also the high level of safety he feels as he works in flight.  "I am extremely happy with the pilots that we have.”

Widdison started as street paramedic, moving into the domain of transport-by-flight three years ago. He and wife, Holly, moved with their family to Payson a year ago.  Lions Club members invited them to return and join the group at future events they host within the community, including the upcoming musical fundraiser, "A Little Night Music," scheduled from February 22-23.