Mercy Flight has announced plans to acquire Finger Lakes Ambulance, expanding its ground ambulance operations in the Finger Lakes region.
A purchase agreement has been signed, with the acquisition set to become final pending approval from the Finger Lakes and Monroe–Livingston EMS Councils, as well as the New York State Department of Health.
The two agencies have worked collaboratively for the past five years to strengthen emergency medical services through improved coordination, operational alignment, and shared clinical priorities. Officials say both organizations, like EMS providers nationwide, have faced ongoing challenges including staffing shortages, increased call volumes, rising operating costs, and unstable reimbursement structures. Leadership from both agencies determined that a unified operating model would better address those shared challenges.
Under the proposed plan, Finger Lakes Ambulance would combine under Mercy Flight’s nonprofit EMS structure. The model is believed to be the first of its kind in New York State, bringing together a nonprofit and a for-profit EMS agency within a single nonprofit system.
Mercy Flight says all current Finger Lakes Ambulance employees, including EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and support staff, will be welcomed into the organization’s nonprofit mission. Officials say operations will continue without interruption during the transition.
The organization also says it does not anticipate any changes to its air ambulance service in Western New York as a result of the ground ambulance expansion and will continue to work closely with Mercy Flight Central, a separate nonprofit helicopter ambulance service serving the Finger Lakes region.
“This opportunity allows us to offer access to safe, reliable, and compassionate ground medical transport services through our not-for-profit ground/air integration model,” said Margaret Ferrentino, President of Mercy Flight. “By integrating Finger Lakes Ambulance’s experienced teams and established operations into our non-profit system and enhancing our working relationship with Mercy Flight Central (an unrelated nonprofit air ambulance provider headquartered in Canandaigua), we can ensure continuity of care while furthering our commitment to clinical excellence and community partnerships in rural communities. Because we already share such a patient-focused mission, this consolidation is a natural fit.”
Bob Woodhouse, Chairman of the Board at G.W. Lisk, added, “G.W. Lisk cares deeply about the health and well-being of the people of Clifton Springs and surrounding communities. It is important to us that the high standard of EMS care in the region continues under a trustworthy partner that puts patients first. We believe Mercy Flight, with its nearly 45-years of service to its community, is the right organization to take this responsibility. We look forward to seeing the combined leadership of these agencies and the accomplishments this partnership will bring.”
“We are proud to join an organization whose values so closely align with our own,” said Al Kalfass, Executive Director of Finger Lakes Ambulance. “Our teams are dedicated to caring for our communities, and we look forward to the continued growth and advancement of that work within Mercy Flight’s nonprofit framework.”
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