HELP stands for Helicopter Emergency Lifesaving Program, an apt name, because that's what it does - HELP Flight saves lives. In a medical emergency, minutes can make the difference. The Help Flight program, with both a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft, was established by St. Vincent Healthcare in 1979. St. Vincent Healthcare is committed to maintaining this vital service in our spacious region. Although insurance and Medicare cover part of the charges, the hospital subsidizes a large portion of the costs each year. HELP Flight is a critical component of advanced medical care in Montana, serving both Billings' hospitals, emergency medical and law enforcement personnel, and residents of rural communities, farms and ranches. Individual donations and proceeds from two SAINTS benefits help subsidize charity care flights and educational efforts in rural communities.

One example of a life saved is baby Tanner who was born prematurely to a mother from a small town. For Dr. Jackson, the flight was imperative. "It's possible we could have lost Tanner during a two hour car ride to Billings. Having the perinatology practice and the NICU working in conjunction with the HELP Flight program can easily make the difference between a baby born normally, or born with significant brain damage."