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UT Health Tyler and UT Health Henderson present EMS and hospital updates to Henderson council
Summary
UT Health Tyler/UT Health Henderson staff summarized 2025 EMS call volumes, new critical‑care equipment (Lucas automated CPR, LifePak monitors), ECMO capabilities and a dedicated 'ECMO ambulance' that will enable initiation of extracorporeal support in Henderson prior to transfers to Tyler.
Representatives from UT Health Tyler and UT Health Henderson gave the council an annual update on Jan. 20 covering EMS operations, clinical capabilities and hospital performance metrics aimed at keeping more patients local.
John Smith, who identified himself as CEO for the EMS and Air 1 operation, said the system covers seven East Texas counties across roughly 5,000–5,600 square miles. He reported the broader service ran more than 100,000 calls in 2025; in Henderson specifically the team had more than 2,800 transports and 132 helicopter flights originating from the city. Compliance figures cited included a 97% compliance level for highest‑priority (P1) calls and 98.3% for nonemergency calls.
Dr. Yagnish Desai and other presenters described investments in hospital‑level equipment for ambulances (Hamilton ICU ventilators, hospital‑grade IV pumps), widespread adoption of Lucas automated CPR devices, Stryker LifePak monitors that integrate with CPR devices to reduce interruptions, and use of the Pulsara communications app to transmit ECGs and stroke assessments to specialists before arrival. They said these technologies and biannual training help maintain continuity of care from the scene to hospital.
Staff also described new regional ECMO capabilities in Tyler and introduced a larger critical‑care ambulance designed to carry an ECMO team and NICU equipment to Henderson to initiate extracorporeal support locally, stabilize patients, and then transfer them to Tyler for ongoing care. Presenters invited councilmembers and the public to view the critical‑care ambulance on site after the presentation.
During the update, UT Health Henderson’s Jared Smith noted the hospital achieved recognition for workplace culture and quality measures, reported over 200 deliveries in the past year and more than 1,000 admissions annually, and said the health system is focused on retention of services and recruiting physicians.
No formal action was taken; this was an informational presentation. Council thanked the presenters and moved on to regular business.
