Priority Ambulance and Lifecare Medical Transports have announced a significant partnership, bringing LifeCare into the Priority Ambulance national family of companies. This collaboration promises to bolster LifeCare’s growth prospects within Virginia and beyond, while ensuring the continuity of its trusted leadership and daily operations.
“The LifeCare team embodies the values we prioritize at Priority Ambulance – exceptional customer service, unwavering safety standards, a focus on employee well-being, and superior patient care,” stated Priority Ambulance CEO Bryan Gibson. “Their ethos aligns perfectly with our company mission and culture, making them an invaluable addition to our family. Integrating their insights into our leadership will undoubtedly strengthen Priority’s strategic direction. We are thrilled to support their vision for LifeCare’s continued expansion.”
LifeCare CEO Kevin Dillard also expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “LifeCare’s decision to partner with Priority Ambulance stems from our recognition of their progressive approach and shared values. Joining a family of like-minded companies like Priority Ambulance allows us to elevate LifeCare to new heights. Crucially, this partnership enables us to preserve the core culture and deep community connection that defines LifeCare as both a rewarding workplace and a trusted service provider for our communities and patients.”
LifeCare Medical Transports was founded in 1994 by Kevin Dillard and Dan Wildman, who initially met as dedicated volunteers in their local rescue squad. Recognizing a critical need for dependable medical transport services, they established LifeCare with a foundational commitment to community service. By 1999, their dedication and rapid growth were acknowledged when they were honored as Virginia’s Entrepreneur of the Year.
Today, LifeCare Medical Transports operates a fleet of 127 ambulances, serving over 70,000 patients annually. The company is a vital partner to hospitals and medical facilities throughout Virginia, providing a comprehensive suite of medical transportation services.
LifeCare’s commitment extends beyond patient care to deep community engagement. They are active supporters of numerous local events, charitable causes, and non-profit organizations. This dedication to community was profoundly demonstrated during the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. LifeCare dispatched the first ambulances to the Pentagon and played a central role in the statewide response, with their Fredericksburg headquarters serving as the coordination hub for approximately 50 ambulances from across Virginia involved in the three-day recovery operation.
In 2007, LifeCare’s exceptional contributions to emergency medical services were further recognized with the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS Health & Safety. Notably, LifeCare remains the only private ambulance service to have received this prestigious honor.
The executive leadership at LifeCare places paramount importance on the safety and well-being of its 430 employees across Virginia.
“Our people are the heart of LifeCare,” emphasized Senior Vice President Dan Wildman. “We are more than colleagues; we are a work family who are genuinely passionate about serving our patients and communities. The longevity of our team, with many employees marking 25 years of service since LifeCare’s inception, speaks volumes. From our compassionate field personnel to our dedicated executive team, the LifeCare family is the driving force behind our success and our ability to provide exceptional lifecare medical transports.”
LifeCare Medical Transports will continue to operate under its established name and with its current executive leadership team at the helm. CEO Kevin Dillard and Senior Vice President Dan Wildman will maintain their roles, ensuring operational continuity and guiding the company’s strategic direction.
Priority Ambulance, headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a leading national ambulance company. The partnership with LifeCare marks Priority Ambulance’s entry into Virginia, expanding its strong presence across the Southeast, which already includes operations in South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas. With the addition of LifeCare, the Priority Ambulance network now encompasses operations in 12 states, supported by 3,400 employees and a fleet of nearly 650 emergency vehicles. Founded in 2014, Priority Ambulance’s core philosophy centers on partnering with reputable local companies that possess a deep understanding of their community’s unique healthcare transportation needs. These partnerships provide local entities with access to additional capital, resources, and the collective expertise of the national leadership team and its network of sister companies, fostering continued growth and enhanced service delivery in lifecare medical transports.
About Priority Ambulance
Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Priority Ambulance is committed to delivering the highest standards of clinical excellence in both emergency and non-emergency medical care. Across its national service area, approximately 3,400 highly skilled paramedics and EMTs operate a fleet of around 650 advanced emergency vehicles, equipped with cutting-edge medical technology.
The Priority Ambulance family of companies operates under respected local brands, offering diverse medical transport solutions across 12 states. These include Shoals Ambulance in Alabama, Maricopa Ambulance in Arizona, Puckett EMS and Central EMS in Georgia, Seals Ambulance in Indiana, Kunkel Ambulance in Upstate New York, Trans Am Ambulance in western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania, Medshore Ambulance in South Carolina, Priority Ambulance in East Tennessee, A&E EMS in Tennessee, Baptist Ambulance in West Tennessee and Mississippi, and now LifeCare Medical Transports in Virginia and Maryland.
For further details, please visit www.priorityambulance.com.
About LifeCare Medical Transports
LifeCare Medical Transports, Inc., established in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1994, has evolved from a local service provider to one of Virginia’s largest and most respected healthcare transportation organizations. Our dedication to quality is reflected in our modern medical capabilities, compassionate approach to personalized patient care, and unwavering commitment to the communities we serve with lifecare medical transports.
LifeCare delivers essential emergency, non-emergency, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS), Specialty Care Transport (SCT/Critical Care), and a range of specialized services throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. LifeCare’s extensive resources include a fleet exceeding 144 ambulances and a team of over 500 healthcare and business professionals operating from community-based locations throughout Virginia.
Driven by innovation, LifeCare integrates advanced technology into its daily operations. Our commitment to continuous improvement is embodied in our team-based approach to developing and implementing programs and process enhancements, ensuring we remain at the forefront of patient care innovation and delivery for lifecare medical transports.
For more information, please visit www.LifeCare94.com.
