Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
WORLAND - Guardian Flight emergency flight nurse Keith Van Brunt has been recognized for his work with the Navajo Nation during the COVID-19 pandemic and nominated by a friend for a trip to Africa.
Van Brunt said Guardian Flight needed more crews to help in the Navajo Nation and they requested crews. Van Brunt said two Worland crews and one Cody crew went from Wyoming, each serving a week.
Although there were crews in the area serving in New Mexico, Van Brunt said with Guardian Flight there was no stoppage in coverage here in the Big Horn Basin.
SERVING IN NEW MEXICO
Van Brunt said they served in New Mexico in early May but the heat was something he wasn't expecting. He noted he has a contract license that allows him to serve as a flight nurse in 23 states.
"They told us to hydrate but they didn't quantify that," he said, noting on his first flight he got dehydrated and drank five bottles of water and a Gatorade and it was nearly 24 hours before his kidneys were fully functioning.
After that first flight he made sure he drank about 15 bottles of water and several bottles of Gatorade a day.
"Gallup is 3,000 feet higher in elevation and about 20 degrees warmer," Van Brunt, who prefers temperatures in the 50s, said.
Their assignment was flying COVID-19 patients from smaller hospitals to larger hospitals with more services.
He said the could only fly for 16 hours before required to take a 10-hour break. Each day they basically flew 16 hours straight and they would have to be ready to go immediately after the 10-hour break was ended.
There were seven aircraft and one helicopter flying patients out, Van Brunt said.
Entry into the housing for the flight crews showed the appreciation the community had for the air medical transport teams, "Our heroes wear flight suits."
He said the Navajo Nation has been hit hard by COVID-19, due to several factors including comorbidities that exist in the patients, and the difference in socioeconomics with multiple generations living in one home.
"It was a great experience and I wouldn't trade it," he said.
HERO CONTEST
His service in New Mexico found him nominated for an all-expense paid trip to Africa, based on voting from social media.
According to website, "This summer, African Travel is focused on expressing gratitude. We are forever grateful for the travel community who touch our lives daily and all heroes who help others. We have much to be thankful for and want to recognize those who are making a difference.
"We turned to our trusted partners and asked advisors to nominate a hero who has made a positive impact during this unprecedented time.
"From silent heroes helping those in need to nurses and firefighters keeping people safe, the submissions received were impressive. We've selected the Top 10 and now it is your turn to name a hero to receive a life-changing trip to South Africa and Botswana."
Van Brunt said his friend Robin Barfield, who has a travel agency, Cruise Planners, in Texas, nominated him as local hero and a chance to win an all-expense paid trip for two to Africa.
He said Robin is married to the best man at his wedding, Russ, whom he served with in the Navy.
She heard about his work in Gallup, New Mexico and nominated him as her local hero.
"I don't think of myself that way [as a hero], but to Robin I was," Van Brunt said.
"I'm not even close to being a hero. I can't image doing it day in and day out. It was like a war zone. I was just doing my job. It was an honor to help them in their time of need," Van Brunt said.
As for the nomination, having advanced to the top 10 and being back and forth in the lead position, Van Brunt said, "I feel kind of overwhelmed about the honor. There are so many deserving of this honor more than I."
He the social media networking has also been overwhelming with him getting at least 40 new friend requests.
Barfield wrote in her nomination, "During the Covid-19 Pandemic he was asked to travel to New Mexico to assist the Navajo Nation with their healthcare needs. It was a total shambles and shocked him more than he will say. He worked tirelessly, taking care of people that were extremely vulnerable and high risk in many cases without sleep. He and the team that he was with, provided much needed relief to the Navajo people who were dying en masse. This was all on top of his daily responsibilities in his home state. He had become quite distressed after being tested for antibodies, because he thought that he had suffered with the virus in January, but found that he did not possess the antibodies. He was frustrated that he could not offer anything that might help more people recover.
Lastly, he perpetuates his healing spirit as his son, an Army Medic was sent to help at the Javitz Center in NYC and his wife is a medical administrator that is always working to bring better healthcare services to their community. I urge you to consider this very deserving man for your trip."
Votes are being take through Friday, July 31. You may vote at https://africantravelinc.com/content/voteyourhero.
As of Tuesday Van Brunt was leading by 800 votes over Matthew Williams, community organizer
nominated by: Jessica Feehan, AAA Auto Club
Per his nomination, "Matthew is an inspirational community leader who devotes countless unpaid hours to organizing and leading the movement for racial equality in his community. He's created jobs by recruiting employees from his hometown in Amityville, New York and pays forward every kindness he receives."
African Travel will reward the hero and their guest with the ultimate 8-night private escape to Cape Town, South Africa and Botswana, where they can relax and disconnect at Chobe Game Lodge (or equivalent) and Red Carnation's Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa and Xigera Safari Lodge.
The advisor who nominated our winning 'hero' will be rewarded with a complimentary spot on an African Travel educational trip to South Africa, Tanzania or Kenya.
