From the Desk of Our COO: Why Leadership Matters in Air Medical Transport
- Maureen Nordike, RN, MBA
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
In air medical transport, leadership is not theoretical—it is operational, clinical, and deeply human. Every decision impacts a patient’s safety, a family’s peace of mind, and a crew’s ability to deliver care under pressure.
As Chief Operating Officer of Atlas Air Ambulance, my role is to ensure that clinical excellence, operational discipline, and compassion remain inseparable—on every mission, every day.
Experience That Shapes Operations
I bring more than 20 years of experience as a licensed registered nurse and 15 years in air medical transport, supported by a BSN from St. Louis University and an MBA from Webster University. My career has been grounded in critical care medicine and expanded through executive leadership in emergency and air medical services.
Previously, I led a multidisciplinary team of over 60 healthcare and operational professionals, consistently exceeding performance benchmarks while strengthening safety culture, regulatory compliance, and patient satisfaction.
My areas of expertise include:
Fixed-wing air medical operations and mission oversight
Critical care transport standards and clinical governance
Regulatory compliance and accreditation readiness
Safety, quality, and risk management
Revenue optimization aligned with patient-centered outcomes
Leadership, for me, has always been personal. As a registered nurse, I learned early on that every patient represents a family waiting on the other end of a phone call—and as a mom of two, that reality hits even closer to home. I understand what it feels like to place your trust in a medical team during uncertain moments. That perspective shapes how I lead at Atlas Air Ambulance. I care deeply about how our teams communicate, how we support families through fear and urgency, and how we hold ourselves accountable when it matters most. My passion comes from knowing that behind every mission is someone’s child, parent, or loved one—and that responsibility is never lost on me.
Leadership Philosophy: Patients First, Always
Operational success in air medical transport cannot come at the expense of clinical integrity. At Atlas, we align performance metrics with outcomes that matter—safe transport, appropriate medical care, and clear communication with families and facilities.
“Families don’t experience our organization through policies or dashboards—they experience it through how we communicate, how we advocate, and how safely we deliver their loved one.” — Maureen Nordike, BSN, MBA
Community Roots, National Reach
Atlas Air Ambulance is proud to be locally rooted while serving patients nationwide and internationally. Our Jacksonville foundation reinforces accountability—to our hospital partners, our crews, and the families who trust us during life-altering moments.
Leadership in air medical transport is measured in outcomes, not titles. At Atlas Air Ambulance, we lead with clinical expertise, operational discipline, and an unwavering commitment to patient safety—because lives depend on it.
Maureen Nordike, MBA, RN
Chief Operating Officer
