Kelly Bates was a flight nurse of intelligence and passion. She was totally aligned with the REACH mission of "do what is right for the patient." She was not only a patient advocate, but also an advocate for her crewmembers as their manager. She set the highest of standards for herself and her crew. Kelly was very confident, bright and fun. Although she is missed daily, we feel her spirit and wisdom. Each day Kelly's memory serves as a compass to her team members at REACH.<br />
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Kelly Bates, 38, of Point Richmond, California, lost her life in the line of duty on December 23, 2003. She was one of three crewmembers involved in a fatal helicopter accident in the mountainous terrain of northern California. She was a Flight Nurse for REACH Air Medical Services.<br />
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Kelly began her nursing career as an emergency room nurse at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, California, and later moved to Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto where she worked in the ICU/CCU unit. At REACH she quickly found her niche, as she loved the unknown factors surrounding trauma care. She was a take-charge nurse, devoted to saving lives, skilled at making quick and accurate assessments and providing care to the critically ill and injured.<br />
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Honored 2009 |