Crew Member Spotlight: Chuck Hogan
by Lauren Lamberson
It was the dedication and professionalism of the LifeFlight crew members that caught his attention while working with Capital Ambulance service and enticed him to apply. Now LifeFlight of Maine’s Chief Clinical Officer, Chuck Hogan has demonstrated that same commitment to the organization for the past 13 years.
Chuck has an extensive background in emergency medicine. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Air Force, stationed mostly in Southern California, but was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Germany. He obtained his EMT license while still in the Air Force, and after retiring from military service, he moved back to Maine and began working with Capital Ambulance (now Northern Light Medical Transport).
One of Chuck’s first encounters with LifeFlight was in 1998, when LifeFlight of Maine first started, and there was little helicopter infrastructure around the state. When LifeFlight landed in the parking lot at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC), he was part of the hospital team that transported patients from the parking lot to the emergency department. He enjoyed assisting the LifeFlight crew and was always impressed by their professionalism. He eventually transitioned into a patient transport role at EMMC, bringing patients to and from the emergency department and other units.
While working in the hospital, he also attended nursing school at Husson University. After graduating, he continued to work as a nurse at EMMC, first on a telemetry unit and then in the emergency department. Not only was he treating patients, but he was also a clinical educator training other nursing colleagues in the hospital. Throughout his time at EMMC, he interacted regularly with the LifeFlight crew. “Whoever showed up in a green suit, you knew they were the best to work with,” Chuck said. These interactions helped him realize he wanted to wear a green suit too, so Chuck applied to be a flight nurse.
LifeFlight has a rigorous application process and an intense orientation program. LifeFlight has uncompromising standards for clinical excellence, and the orientation process ensures all crew members have the experience and training necessary to work at the highest level. Chuck needed more critical care experience before he was hired, so he took a job that allowed him to work in the critical care areas at EMMC. Finally, after applying five separate times, going back to gain additional experience between each attempt, Chuck was hired, completed six months of intense orientation, and officially began as a LifeFlight clinical crew member.
When asked what his favorite part of the job is, Chuck was quick to answer: “The people are tremendous, I love working with the crew and all the staff members. We all know the mission. We are here to help support everyone in Maine, and that has been extremely rewarding.” He emphasized how much he loves working with the orientees, LifeFlight’s new clinicians still in orientation, and continually developing the education programs for both new and veteran crew members. He also loves mentoring clinicians who don’t quite have the necessary experience yet to apply to LifeFlight but are determined to join the flight crew someday.
As Chief Clinical Officer, Chuck also leads outreach and educational courses which LifeFlight offers to hospitals around the state. Smaller hospitals often get new equipment, such as ventilators, and the LifeFlight team has extensive knowledge about this equipment to share with hospital staff members. These programs improve clinical education all around Maine, ensuring patients receive the highest quality care.
Chuck is extremely proud to be a part of LifeFlight, and he has worked hard to get where he is now. He demonstrates the same professionalism that originally caught his attention in 1998 and has shown tremendous commitment to the organization. He has made a positive impact on LifeFlight, and the quality of patient care is better because of him.
Lauren Lamberson is a recent graduate of Clemson University and a Summer 2024 intern with The LifeFlight Foundation. Lauren is also a former LifeFlight of Maine patient.
