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Center for Aviation Medicine

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The Patricia Hilliard Robertson Center for Aviation Medicine provides pilots, aircrews, and students access to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Reduced Gravity Flight, and/or corporate-required flight physicals and aerospace health education. Services are available at both the main campus of Indiana Regional Medical Center in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and our south campus at Indiana at Chestnut Ridge in Blairsville, Pennsylvania.

The Center for Aviation Medicine is named in honor of Homer City native, Patricia Hilliard Robertson, M.D. Dr. Robertson is a graduate of Homer Center High School (1980) and the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1985). She served as a flight instructor and family physician in Erie, Pennsylvania before joining the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1997, where she was later selected to join the astronaut program. She made significant contributions in the areas of aviation and aerospace medicine through clinical practice and research. Dr. Robertson perished on May 24, 2001 from injuries sustained in a plane crash in Manvel, Texas.

Services Provided

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Physicals and
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Reduced Gravity Flight Physicals

Our Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is available to provide FAA-required or corporate-required flight physicals to student pilots, experienced pilots, and aircrews. In addition, our AME can also provide physicals for students participating in NASA’s Microgravity University Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities program.

The Center adheres to all FAA, NASA, and other program requirements. Aviators with questions or concerns may contact our AME prior to their scheduled appointment to determine if they need to present with additional documentation, etc.

Aviation and Aerospace Medical Education

The need for pilots and aircrews to understand the environment in which they work or play is a vital component of our program. Our staff is available to provide flight physiology, emergency medical, and general health and wellness education to pilots and aircrews. Programs are offered at Indiana Regional Medical Center, local airports, or your location.

The Center is an FAA Safety Wings – Pilot Proficiency program provider, and is a member of the NASA Health and Human Performance Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?

The Center is housed within the occupational health department on the main
campus of Indiana Regional Medical Center, and within the URGI-Care Center on the south campus of Indiana at Chestnut Ridge.

Can I fly in?

Indiana Regional Medical Center is just minutes from the Indiana County/Jimmy Stewart Airport (IDI). Pilots are invited to fly into the airport where a courtesy car is available for your use on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, please contact the Jimmy Stewart Airport at 724.463.3883.

*Indiana Regional Medical Center’s helipad is RESTRICTED for medical aircraft only.

How can I keep updated with the latest information?

You may contact our office at anytime or you can follow us on the Patricia Hilliard Robertson Center for Aviation Facebook page for the latest in operations and educational offerings.