AirMed International is sad to announce the death of longtime medical director Wilfred “Bill” Holdefer, MD, FACS
(Birmingham, AL – June 24, 2009) – With great sadness AirMed International announces the death of long-time medical director Wilfred “Bill” Holdefer, MD, FACS. Holdefer passed away at his home in Birmingham on Tuesday, June 23 at age 78 after an extended illness.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our friend and colleague, Bill 
Holdefer,” said AirMed CEO Jeffrey Tolbert. “His ground-breaking contributions to the air medical industry and to AirMed will never be equaled, and I will certainly miss my dear friend.” Holdefer, who served as medical director at MEDjet and AirMed International for more than twenty years, is remembered fondly by friends and colleagues as a passionate and determined physician and surgeon. He was among the most experienced medical flight surgeons in the world and a pioneer in international transports. In 1989, he circumnavigated the globe, performing the world’s longest transport of a ventilator dependent patient.
Holdefer,” said AirMed CEO Jeffrey Tolbert. “His ground-breaking contributions to the air medical industry and to AirMed will never be equaled, and I will certainly miss my dear friend.” Holdefer, who served as medical director at MEDjet and AirMed International for more than twenty years, is remembered fondly by friends and colleagues as a passionate and determined physician and surgeon. He was among the most experienced medical flight surgeons in the world and a pioneer in international transports. In 1989, he circumnavigated the globe, performing the world’s longest transport of a ventilator dependent patient.In 2009, Holdefer was given an official commendation by Alabama Governor Bob Riley for his distinguished medical career which spanned forty years. Governor Riley recognized Dr. Holdefer for his “leadership, dedication and professionalism to the air medical industry” in the award certificate.
Holdefer is survived by his wife, six children,12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Background on the incredible career of Dr. Holdefer
Notable surgeon Wilfred Holdefer already had a distinguished medical career when he decided to push his career envelope with MEDjet/AirMed International Founder Jeff Tolbert. Dr. Holdefer was working as an ER physician in 1986 when he met Tolbert, who was working with the {UAB} hospital’s critical care transport service. When Tolbert decided to start specializing in international air medical flights, he asked Holdefer to join the team. Their first international trip together (the company was then known as MEDjet) was transporting a kidney transplant patient from Pittsburgh to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1988. The harrowing but exciting trip hooked the doctor.
Holdefer went on to fly more than 300 medical flight missions, including 3,800 flight hours and 2,500 patient care hours. Working directly with doctors and nurses in over 70 countries, he established an International Network of Diversion Sites and Air Ambulance Partners still in use today by AirMed International. He was an Associate Professor Emeritus of Emergency Medicine at the University Hospital School of Medicine in Birmingham; a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine; and Fellow, American College of Surgeons and board certified in cardiothoracic surgery. Holdefer was a published author in numerous medical journals and international publications and penned his own memoirs of his air medical experiences entitled “Just Call Me Dr. Bill.”