In February, ECU Health, James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center and EastCare unveiled North Carolina’s first and only dedicated helicopter for pediatric and neonatal transport. This helicopter advances a longstanding legacy of high-quality, family-centered pediatric care across eastern North Carolina.
The Children’s Transport Team has grown from serving approximately 200 neonatal patients annually to nearly 1,200 neonatal and pediatric transports each year, with specialty-trained clinicians delivering care in the field. Equipped for the smallest patients, the Airbus EC145 C-2 features donor-supported technology, including pediatric ventilators, specialty stretchers, cooling blankets, isolettes and a video-assisted laryngoscope, creating a true mobile ICU in the sky.
In the first 31 days of operation, the helicopter completed 40 transports, equal to 25% of all air transports in 2025, expanding access to rapid, specialized care across the region when it matters most.
“One third of the children we transport are premature or neonatal infants, many of whom need highly-specialized care,” said Dr. Matthew Ledoux, pediatrician in chief at Maynard Children’s Hospital and chair of pediatrics at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
“This new helicopter gives us the ability to reach these babies faster, stabilize them sooner and deliver ICU level care from the very first moments of transport. It is truly a game changer for pediatric and neonatal outcomes in eastern North Carolina.”
This dedicated aircraft strengthens a decade-long pediatric transport partnership and represents a major step forward in delivering faster response, earlier stabilization and improved outcomes for children and families across eastern North Carolina.