Mercy Flight announces acquisition of Finger Lakes Ambulance

Press Release, Mercy Flight, Inc.

BUFFALO – Mercy Flight, Inc., a leading nonprofit provider of air and ground medical transport services headquartered in Buffalo, announced today that it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire Finger Lakes Ambulance EMS, Inc., a long-standing and well-established emergency and interfacility transport provider serving communities across the Finger Lakes region.

The acquisition will become final pending approval by the Finger Lakes and Monroe-Livingston Regional EMS Councils, and the New York State Department of Health.

For the past five years, Mercy Flight and Finger Lakes Ambulance have worked collaboratively to strengthen emergency medical services in their respective operational, clinical, and administrative areas through improved coordination, operational alignment, and shared clinical priorities.

Throughout this partnership, both agencies – like EMS organizations nationwide – have navigated increasing challenges related to staffing shortages, rising call volume, escalating operating costs, and unstable reimbursement structures.

Through ongoing discussions, both leadership teams recognized that a unified, forward-looking model could better address these shared challenges. As a result, the organizations have agreed to pursue a plan to combine under Mercy Flight’s nonprofit EMS structure—a model believed to be the first of its kind in New York State, bringing together a nonprofit and a for-profit EMS agency under a single nonprofit system.

“This opportunity allows us to offer access to safe, reliable, and compassionate ground medical transport services through our not-for-profit ground/air integration model,” said Margaret Ferrentino, president of Mercy Flight. “By integrating Finger Lakes Ambulance’s experienced teams and established operations into our nonprofit system and enhancing our existing working relationship with Mercy Flight Central (an unrelated nonprofit air ambulance provider headquartered in Canandaigua), we can ensure continuity of care while furthering our commitment to clinical excellence and community partnerships in rural communities. Because we already share such a patient-focused mission, this consolidation is a natural fit.”

Bob Woodhouse, chairman of the Board at G.W. Lisk, added: “G.W. Lisk cares deeply about the health and wellbeing of the people of Clifton Springs and surrounding communities. It is important to us that the high standard of EMS care in the region continues under a trustworthy partner that puts patients first. We believe Mercy Flight, with its nearly 45-years of service to its community, is the right organization to take on this responsibility. We look forward to seeing the combined leadership of these agencies and the accomplishments this partnership will bring.”

All of Finger Lakes Ambulance’s current employees—including EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and support staff—will be welcomed into Mercy Flight’s nonprofit mission. Operations will continue without interruption throughout the transition.

“We are proud to join an organization whose values so closely align with our own,” said Al Kalfass, executive director of Finger Lakes Ambulance. “Our teams are dedicated to caring for our communities, and we look forward to the continued growth and advancement of that work within Mercy Flight’s nonprofit framework.”

As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Mercy Flight reinvests all net resources into patient care, safety, clinical excellence, and strengthened community service. The addition of Finger Lakes Ambulance’s service area will expand its regional coverage and improve coordination between air and ground EMS resources.

Mercy Flight foresees no changes to its air ambulance service in Western New York as a result of this ground ambulance service expansion, and expects to continue to collaborate closely with Mercy Flight Central, a completely separate nonprofit helicopter ambulance service that covers the Finger Lakes region.

About Mercy Flight Inc.

Mercy Flight is an independent, nonprofit provider of air and ground medical transport services, dedicated to providing rapid and cost-effective lifesaving care to communities across Western NY and beyond. Since 1981, Mercy Flight has delivered compassionate, high-quality medical transport services without regard to a patient’s insurance status or ability to pay. Today, the organization operates helicopter bases in Buffalo (headquarters), Olean, Springville and Batavia.

Mercy Flight’s ground ambulance division, Mercy Flight EMS, provides service for Genesee County, Niagara County, Orleans County, the Town of Hamlin, and the Town of Concord and Village of Springville. Together, the organization’s employees, now 300 strong, support the mission of being “A BEACON OF HOPE…WHEN MINUTES MATTER”. For more information, visit www.mercyflight.org.

About Finger Lakes Ambulance

Finger Lakes Ambulance began operations in 1955 under Walter’s Ambulance. It expanded significantly after merging with Geneva Town Ambulance in the 1980s and has operated under its current name since 1988. With approximately 100 staff members and a service area exceeding 1,200 square miles, Finger Lakes Ambulance plays a vital role in the regional EMS system, providing emergency and interfacility care across the Finger Lakes.