MADISON, Wis (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- UW Health's Medflight program this year expanded by adding a second remote hanger location. This one, located in portage next to Divine Savior Hospital’s ER.
UW Medflight Physician Jeff Pothof says this site along with the base in Iowa County helps them shorten flight time like never before. He says this is especially the case in Wausau and other parts of the state.
"Prior to the base in portage it would have taken us about 60 minutes to get up there [to Wausau] from Madison," Dr. Potof said. "But with the base in Portage, we have cut that time down to about 35 minutes," he added.
Similar to La Crosse, Dr. Potoff says it would take 45 minutes from Madison, but the Iowa County base cuts that time down to about 25 minutes.
The hanger has room for three Medflight helicopters. Usually, at least one, and sometimes two are stationed at the Portage base.