North Flight Aero Med

What it reported doing in 2024

See schedule onorth flight aero med (nfam) operates as a critical care air ambulance through a joint venture between two charitable irc 501(c)(3) health care organizations: spectrum health hospitals dba corewell health grand rapids hospitals and munson healthcare. Based in traverse city, Michigan, nfam's team is ready for rapid patient transport from emergency scenes or for interfacility transfers using a sikorsky s-76 helicopter and two beechcraft king air airplanes.nfam has a simple mission: to give patients their best chance of survival.the primary response teams consist of one pilot and two flight nurses who specialize in the transport and treatment of critically ill and injured patients. The nurses are dually licensed as registered nurses and paramedics, and they hold multiple certifications relevant to critical care and flight medicine. Pilots hold top faa airline transport pilot credentials, and mechanics are encouraged to earn inspection authorization, both exceeding industry standards.nfam invests in equipment and training that meet or exceed standard requirements to maintain team readiness. Pilots participate in full-motion simulator sessions twice per year focusing on emergency procedures; newly hired mechanics receive manufacturer-led training; flight nurses complete manikin-based medical training. In 2024, nfam's training expenses exceeded $500,000.nfam is accredited by the commission on the accreditation of medical transport systems (camts) and was reaccredited in 2024. While this accreditation indicates adherence to quality and safety standards, it is not required for air ambulance providers in the U.S.nfam primarily operates in rural Michigan, far from tertiary care hospitals. In 2024, nfam received more than 1,600 service requests and completed 764 patient transports across 48 counties. Services are provided regardless of patients' ability to pay; 66% of patients in 2024 had medicare, medicaid, or no insurance coverage.nfam provides education to both community members and first responders about its services and practices for safe operations. In 2024, the organization conducted 35 community outreach flights and events, all self-funded.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 84%; rating input score 84
• Program expense ratio: 88.1%; rating input score 88
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 71
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 4.5%; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.64; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.24; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 96; 96th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 10.2% per year; rating input score 100; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 11.1% per year; rating input score 100; 78th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 14.2% per year; rating input score 100; 79th percentile among comparable filings