AERIUM Unveils AARCHIEE Project to Transform Healthcare Logistics Through UAV Technology

Johnstown, October 4th, 2024 – Aerium in collaboration with leaders from government, academia, and industry gathered at the John Murtha-Cambria County Airport to discuss unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, and its uses to improve healthcare logistics and workforce development in rural areas. The event highlighted the AARCHIEE (Autonomous Aviation Research Consortium for Healthcare Innovation Education and Empowerment) project, backed by the USDOT SMART Grant, as a key initiative that could help create jobs in healthcare logistics and autonomous medical technologies while addressing healthcare needs in rural areas.

Keynote remarks by Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson opened the event, which covered advancements in population health, geographic information systems (GIS), and medical evacuation using UAVs. "It’s great not only to see the vision Aerium and the leaders in this room have but also the progress this collaboration has achieved," said Representative Thompson. Dr. Larry Nulton, chairman of Aerium and the event's moderator, then introduced John Eberhardt, Managing Director of ATA Aviation, to discuss the collaborative's implementation of a Smart Grant aimed at supporting UAV operations for delivering critical medical care to hard-to-reach, underserved rural communities like those surrounding Cambria County. “What we want is for other state officials to see what is being done here in Cambria County and apply it to their counties,” said Eberhart. Furthermore, Eberhardt emphasized the importance of regulatory reform in achieving these goals. "Our Smart Grant is focused on getting necessary medical care to patients quickly. But to do that, you need FAA approval—that’s the regulation piece," he explained.

Jimmy Parrish, Business Director at the University of Alaska FairbanksArt Martynuska, Cambria County Emergency Management Agency coordinator and Steve Kocsis, Cambria County GIS DirectorDr. Ron Poropatich, Director of the Center for Military Medicine Research for the University of Pittsburgh

Jeannine McMillan, Executive Director of the Center for Population HealthCongressman Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-15)

John Eberhardt, Managing Director of ATA AviationFr. Malachi Van Tassell, President of Saint Francis UniversitySenator Wayne Langerholc (R-35)

Jeannine McMillan, Executive Director of the Center for Population Health, gave an overview of the significant health challenges faced by vulnerable populations in Cambria and Somerset Counties and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address these issues. “Our community health needs assessment helps us identify the most pressing issues, from senior falls to children living in poverty, and create a game plan to uplift our residents. By working together with local organizations like Aerium, we’re aiming to make a real impact on the health and well-being of our most vulnerable populations.”

Art Martynuska, Cambria County Emergency Management Agency coordinator and veteran EMS professional, and Steve Kocsis, GIS Director, spoke about the urgent need for innovative solutions to address the growing strain on EMS resources in Cambria County, which has seen a significant decline in the workforce despite only a modest drop in population."Since 1997, we've lost over 70 percent of our EMS workforce, but our population has only decreased by 11 percent, leaving a huge gap that needs to be filled. By integrating drone technology into our operations, we can tackle complex airspace challenges and quickly deliver critical services, ultimately offering high-impact, low-cost solutions for our community."

Dr. Ron Poropatich, Director of the Center for Military Medicine Research for the University of Pittsburgh spoke to the importance of leveraging military innovations for civilian healthcare, particularly in rural areas where critical access hospitals face mounting challenges."In rural America, the mortality rate is 40% higher due to limited emergency resources. We’re aiming to change that by adapting military battlefield technologies to civilian care. The question is, how do we bring life-saving medical capabilities to someone in a remote area like Nicktown and get them to a hospital within the critical 'golden hour'? The AARCHIEE initiative can help expand that window, providing care at the point of injury and improving outcomes while patients are transported to definitive care."

Jimmy Parrish, Business Director at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, highlighted the partnership between the university and Aerium, emphasizing how their collaboration addresses the challenges of integrating drones into rural areas like Alaska and Pennsylvania, both of which face infrastructure limitations. The partnership aims to develop robust technologies to serve remote communities efficiently.

Christina Koren, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, referenced the college's efforts in workforce development through its FAA-certified drone pilot program and innovative collaborations with K-12 schools, state agencies, and industry partners to address regional needs in education, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. "Our drone pilot certificate program and partnerships with agencies like the Game Commission and DEP demonstrate the vital role IUP plays in driving workforce development and economic growth in Pennsylvania. By collaborating across counties and sectors, we're preparing the next generation to meet the challenges of tomorrow," she said.

Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, President of Saint Francis University, discussed the university's commitment to workforce development in the aviation industry, pointing to their partnership with Aerium to offer degrees in conjunction with pilot licenses. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in establishing their Aviation Education Center and the upcoming unmanned drone maintenance program, showcasing the university's response to regional needs and advancements in aviation. He added, "We are very pleased to partner with this blossoming aviation industry here at the Johnstown airport. Our Aviation Education Center, which transformed hangar 15 into our aviation maintenance technician program, is an example of how great public-private partnerships can work for the good of the community. Ten years ago, this would have been described as science fiction; now it's a reality, and it's very exciting."

Senator Wayne Langerholc (R-35) emphasized the critical role of aviation and transportation in driving economic growth and workforce development in the region, calling attention to the collaborative efforts of local leaders and institutions. He remarked, "Looking around this room, it's clear that bipartisan collaboration is making a difference. We're creating economic and educational opportunities right here, and aviation is a key component of that. I'm proud to be a partner in this effort and to help push legislation that supports this vital work." Cambria County Commissioner Tom Chernisky, echoing the Senator’s sentiments added, "We're winning here and putting points on the board. Collaboration does work, and we appreciate the collaboration happening with everyone in this room."

Tony McCloskey, Director, Bureau of Aviation for PennDOT, referenced Pennsylvania’s growing prominence as an aerospace and aviation hub, with a special focus on the use of drone technology to save lives and drive economic growth. He noted, "We just hosted the largest National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) convention ever, right here in Pennsylvania, showcasing the innovative work we're doing with drones and aviation here in Johnstown. The economic impact of this technology is immense, and the collaboration between government, industry, and academia is what's driving it forward."