Flight Team
Our pilots are the most experienced in the industry, and our critical care specialists have advanced training in cardiac, trauma, burn and neurological care. The safety of our patients and crew remains our top priority.
Air Methods Corporation, our vendor, provides us with helicopter pilots who have an average of more than 6,000 flight hours and average more than eight years of medical experience.
On the ground, team members provide support for Wyoming Medical Center, going on rounds with neuroscience staff, assisting with conscious sedation's in the Emergency Department and attending births in obstetrics, among other duties.
Life Flight 1 Helicopter pilots
Kelly Bustell
Michael Chickillo
Chuck Nelson
“Checkpoint Chuck,” a former Marine One (Presidential helicopter) pilot is all business. He’s meticulous and highly skilled. Having been here since 1995, he’s firmly rooted with us and we love to fly with him.
Larry Rice
“Landmark Larry” can tell you the name of every rock, nook, and cranny in the landscape as he flies over. He also has a keen memory for where the elk are!
Life Flight 3 airplane pilots
Steve Gifford (Captain)
Steven is the aviation services manager and has been flying for the program since 1999. He is responsible for the daily program operations and functions as a leader for the aviation team. He earned an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in aviation management from Casper College in 1997 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2003. He has served our nation in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom2. Captain Gifford continues to serve the United States with honor.
Chris Schaer (Captain)
Chris Schaer took up flying in 1996 when he was 15 years old and obtained his pilot’s license at age 17. He received private training in Chadron, NE and Denver, CO. A Life Flight pilot since 2004, Chris knows that people depend on him and his peers to provide an important service. The fact that he can be apart of that makes his job worthwhile.
Pete White (Captain)
Pete started flying in 1988 and has a degree in Aviation Technology from the Florida Institute of Technology. After graduating from FIT, Pete flew pipelines, fires, wildlife surveys, search & rescue, charters, aerial photography and was a flight instructor before being hired by Wyoming Life Flight in 1997. Still enamored with flying, he loves being a part of an important service for Wyoming.
Cory Baskins (First Officer)
Cory began flying in 1999 at the age of 19 in Sheridan, Wyoming where he received his Private Pilot’s License. Since then, pursuing his aviation goals has been his drive. These goals have included flying charters, pipeline, wildlife surveys and becoming an accomplished flight instructor for Casper College and Wyoming Air Corporation, and now being a vital member of the Wyoming Life Flight team since 2006. Knowing that each flight may save a life reminds him of how fortunate we are to have such a service in our state.
David Keefler (First Officer)
David received his Private Pilot’s License in 1992. In 1995, he graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Science. After a brief time in the Telecommunications Industry, David knew his calling was always in aviation. He began pursuing his dream again. David looks forward to working with and helping the wonderful people of Casper.
Meet the paramedics
Brad Mckee
Matt Gacke
Matt Gacke has been in the EMS since 1997. Matt graduated from paramedic school in 2000 at Avera Mckennan School of EMS in Sioux Falls, SD. He worked as a paramedic with AMR and IHS amb. His dream was always to become a flight medic. He moved to Wyoming in 2006 with his wife and daughter where they all enjoy being in the Wyoming outdoors. Matt is currently the safety reprsentative for the flight crew. Matt enjoy's working with the crew and taking care of patients.
Robbie King
Jeremy Lemaster
Jeremy has worked as a Nationally Registered Paramedic for seven years and is certified in many areas. He is a certified Firefighter, Hazardous Materials Technician, Tactical Paramedic, Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor and Advanced Hazardous Materials Life Support Instructor. Jeremy received his Paramedic Certification from the University Hospitals Program in Cleveland, OH. While in Cleveland, he obtained a great deal of experience by working in the University Hospitals Level One Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center and the MedEvac. While Jeremy also works part-time as a Tactical Medic with the Natrona County Sheriff’s SRT Team he enjoys working as a Flight Medic with Life Flight and loves the opportunity to do out reach training with local public agencies.
Randy Picket
Randy has been with Wyoming Medical Center for 8 years. He started his career in medicine in 1989 as a military flight medic for the Air Force and Air National Guard on C-130. He completed paramedic school at Swedish Medical Center in 1996. Randy has worked as a paramedic in Utah and Nebraska. He enjoys teaching courses like PHTLS, AMLS, ACLS and EMT classes. Randy grew up in Gillette, WY. He spends most of his off time outdoors with his wife and four boys. Together they hunt, fish, hike, camp, snowmobile and shoot 3D archery. He has seen the Life Flight Program grow and improve greatly. Randy has had the opportunity to meet other flight crews from around the US and believes that WMC Life Flight Program is just as good as the nationally known flight services.
Bill Grass
Bill started his career in EMS in 1997 in Rock Springs. He attended paramedic school in Denver Colorado through St. Anthony's paramedic program and Red Rocks Community College. He has worked in the O.R., E.R., and as a Firefighter/EMT before coming to Life Flight. Its been a life long goal of Bill’s to become a flight paramedic, and he is thankful to have the opportunity to work with such a talented group of individuals. He has two amazing children who are convinced he has the coolest job in the world! The best part of Bill’s job is having the ability to provide care to people in need. Bill truly loves his job and enjoys coming to work everyday!
Meet the nurses
Kerry Barker
Kerry has been with Wyoming Medical Center for 7.5 years. He loves his job and can’t think of a better way to be a nurse. Kerry has been flying for about 12 years all over the United States, Mexico and Canada. Kerry moved back to Wyoming and found Wyoming Medical Center. He has enjoyed himself since.
Emil Gercke
Emil has been a nurse at WMC for 15 years, drawing on those 15 years of experience has allowed for an enriching job as a Flight Nurse. "I look forward to coming to work every day, each flight presents new challenges and opportunities". One of the great enjoyments of Emil's job is the excellent teamwork and close-knit family of fellow flight team members.
Marc Miller
Dustin Windle
As a Wyoming Native born at Wyoming Medical Center, Dustin dreamed of the day he would work for Wyoming Life Flight. This job is the culmination of six and a half years of school and training. He has four amazing children and is married to the love of his life. As the newest flight nurse Dustin works hard to continue to advance the level of care he provides to patients.
Chuck Bright
Lisa Rose
