天美传媒

Pedi-Flite

Our Pedi-Flite team has provided specialized transport for critically ill and injured children for more than 30 years. We transport more than 2,000 patients who are minutes old up to 21 years old each year. 

Our specialized team brings many of the capabilities of advanced patient care directly to our patients by air or ground. This helps us to provide the highest quality of care both before and during transportation to Le Bonheur. No other transport service in the Mid-South offers such specialized care for children.

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The Pedi-Flite team is made up of pediatric and neonatal critical care nurses, pediatric and neonatal respiratory therapists and paramedics. All Pedi-Flite team members are trained in advanced life support techniques and hold additional credentials beyond those of their critical care peers.

Why Le Bonheur

  • Three modes of transportation: ambulance, helicopter, fixed-wing
  • Designated dispatch and transfer center
  • Specialized pediatric and neonatal critical care in a 400-mile radius by ground and rotor wing serving primarily Northern Mississippi, Tennessee and Northern Arkansas and fixed wing in the continental US. 
  • Mobile critical care unit with the ability to provide ventilatory support, nitric oxide, trauma care, therapeutic hypothermia
  • Own 6 ambulances and partner with GMR/Hospital Wing for rotor wing
  • 50-person team dedicated to transport

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Outreach Education

Our Pedi-flite team actively works to be a regular part of the community by attending and participating in several local events. Are you interested in education, having our team at an event or would like someone from our leadership team to contact you, please fill out the form below. 

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Upcoming Events

2025 Events Coming Soon

Pedi-Flite Team

Medical Directors

Senior Director of Emergency Services

Barbie Stewart
Barbie Stewart, MSN, RN, CNL, NE-BC

Barbie Stewart is the Senior Director of Emergency Services for Le Bonheur Children鈥檚 Hospital. She is proud to lead the emergency departments and the Pedi-Flite critical care transport team. Stewart joined the Le Bonheur Family in 2013 as a transplant from Tampa, FL. She is a member of AONL, CHA ED Director鈥檚 Forum, and ENA. Stewart earned her BSN from Florida State University and her MSN from University of South Florida. She is a board-certified nurse executive and a Clinical Nurse Leader. Stewart鈥檚 favorite thing about Le Bonheur is our commitment to patients, families and the communities we serve. Working at Le Bonheur feels as much a calling as it does a commitment to the children of Memphis, and being a part of the Le Bonheur mission has been incredible. Stewart is passionate about the professional development, empowerment, and future of nurses. She decided she would be a pediatric nurse at just four years old, and she has enjoyed all of the experiences and opportunities her chosen field has brought thus far. While nursing leadership was never on her radar early on, she has found great fulfillment in being a voice for front-line staff members, an advocate for the safety and well-being of children, and a catalyst for the advancement of nursing practice.

Director of Pedi-Flite

Steven Shedd
Steven Shedd, MBA

Steve is the Director of Pedi Flite services at 天美传媒 in Memphis. He is committed to operational excellence and passionate about ensuring high-quality patient care. He is proud to lead critical care transport teams and support the system鈥檚 mission to provide exceptional healthcare services to patients and families.

Steve鈥檚 healthcare journey began with a background in business development and as a firefighter and paramedic, where he cultivated his dedication to patient safety and service. Has held leadership roles at Beacon Health System, in South Bend Indiana where he directed the Transfer Center, MedFlight, Beacon Health Transport, and dispatch operations,. Steve is known for developing innovative strategies, fostering collaboration, and implementing technology-driven solutions to improve patient flow and system efficiency.

A retired firefighter, Steve holds an MBA and is a paramedic. His professional philosophy centers on empowering teams, driving operational improvement, and ensuring resources are aligned to meet the needs of patients and communities.

Steve is thrilled to join 天美传媒 and looks forward to contributing to the organization鈥檚 legacy of compassionate care. Outside of work, Steve enjoys exploring advancements in technology, international travel and meaningful conversations about philosophy and life. He and his family are excited to settle into their new home in Memphis and embrace the vibrant community.

Pedi-Flite Managers

Jacolby Anderson
Jacolby Anderson

Jacolby Anderson is a dedicated Manager of Pedi-Flite Services at 天美传媒 in Memphis, Tenn. He is passionate about providing compassionate and high-quality critical care transport for children in the community.

In his role, Jacolby plays a crucial part in leading the critical care transport teams, ensuring the safe and effective transportation of pediatric patients throughout the Mid-south region. He is committed to supporting Le Bonheur's mission of providing exceptional healthcare services to children and their families.

Jacolby鈥檚 healthcare journey began as a respiratory therapist, where he cultivated a deep love for patient care and developed a passion for the field. He gained a strong foundation in respiratory therapy while working as an adult respiratory therapist at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Miss.

Throughout his career, Jacolby has held leadership roles at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and 天美传媒, where he effectively led teams of pediatric respiratory therapists.

Known for his upbeat attitude and unwavering dedication to others, Jacolby is a servant leader who consistently leads by example. He is committed to providing exceptional care to children and their families in his current role as Manager of Pedi-Flite Services at 天美传媒.

Outside of work, Jacolby cherishes spending time with his family and is a passionate fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes, often attending college football games. He enjoys exploring his culinary interests by cooking for his loved ones and savoring delicious food. Jacolby is optimistic about the future of Pedi-Flite and looks forward to the exciting journey ahead.

Kevin Whitsell
Kevin Whitsell

Born and raised in Grenada, Mississippi, Kevin's passion for service ignited early. At just 17, he was already a radio DJ, captivating listeners with his smooth voice and engaging style. His talent and dedication led him to become the youngest radio general manager in America at 18.

Simultaneously, Kevin felt a calling to ministry and served as a bi-vocational youth minister at two local churches. His commitment to helping others extended beyond the pulpit, as he also volunteered with the Gore Springs Volunteer Fire Department. It was here that he truly discovered his love for emergency medicine.

Driven by this passion, Kevin enrolled in EMT school at Holmes Community College, graduating at the top of his class. After seven years as an EMT, he furthered his education by earning a Paramedic certification from Coahoma Community College, once again achieving top honors.

Kevin's career as a paramedic in Panola and Tate Counties was marked by both challenges and triumphs. A pivotal moment came during his first solo pediatric cardiac arrest. Despite the fear and uncertainty, Kevin and his team successfully resuscitated the child. This experience solidified his desire to provide the highest level of care and inspired him to strive for excellence.

Seeking a more specialized role, Kevin joined Pediflite, a critical care transport team. For three years, he worked alongside highly skilled professionals, learning invaluable lessons in patient care and leadership. As his family grew with the birth of his son, Malachi, and his daughter, Addison, who was 9 at the time, Kevin transitioned to a position in the Transfer Center. His dedication and leadership skills quickly earned him a supervisory role.

Now, with a Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration and a Master's degree on the horizon, Kevin is excited to embark on this new chapter as a manager. He believes in leading by example and fostering a positive, collaborative work environment. Outside of work, Kevin enjoys spending time with his family, grilling, exploring the world of bourbon, and immersing himself in biblical studies.

Additional Pedi-Flite Leaders

Business Director

Donna Smith

Transfer Center Supervisors

Jennifer McCulley

Latosha Smith

Craig Webb

Contact Emergency Medicine