For his meaningful and measurable impact on the field of transport medicine, Andrew Cathers, MD, has been named one of 40 Under 40 Professionals Transforming Transport Medicine by the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) — an international trade association dedicated to advancing transport medicine and life-saving care worldwide.
Presented to young professionals driving innovation and excellence in air medical transport throughout the United States and around the world, the 40 Under 40 awards celebrate emerging leaders who are advancing patient care, safety and clinical operations across the medical transport community.
The honorees recognized this year represent a diverse cohort of individuals making critical impacts in their organizations and communities. They include transport physicians, nurses, pilots, paramedics, administrators and communications specialists.
Dr. Cathers serves as medical director for UW Health Med Flight and is is an associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Cathers has exemplified leadership throughout his 13-year career as a flight physician and nearly decade in program leadership with UW Health’s air and ground critical care transport and retrieval medicine program, which has served more than 50,000 critically ill and injured patients in the Upper Midwest for over 40 years. It is one of only a few transport programs in the U.S. to fly with a board-certified/eligible physician on board.
Under his direction, Med Flight has undergone notable expansions in operations and geographic reach — launching a third helicopter and remote base, expanding ground critical care transport capabilities, and strengthening response times and safety practices through new operational protocols and clinical initiatives.
Cathers led the development of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program for critical care transport at UW Health, contributing to the health system’s designation as an ELSO Gold Status Center of Excellence. He also helped design UW Health’s Centralized Recovery Center model for organ donation, with Med Flight as an integral component. Centralizing organ recovery is a national best practice that provides thoughtful care and positive outcomes for everyone involved in the organ donation process.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized amongst these leaders,” Cathers said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the Med Flight program and UW Health and to help showcase the incredible work our team does every day.”
In addition to his operational leadership, Cathers is a dedicated educator who has established the nation’s first CME-accredited Critical Care Transport Morbidity & Mortality Conference and created a high-fidelity simulation program for Med Flight clinicians. He also teaches and lectures internationally on transport medicine as faculty with the U.K.’s renowned Anesthesia, Trauma and Critical Care Group.
Cathers holds board certification in both emergency medicine and EMS, and he has published papers and presented educational sessions locally, nationally, and internationally. He is a Fellow of the Air Medical Physician Association (FAMPA) and Fellow of the Academy of Emergency Medical Services (FAEMS). Cathers also holds a Diploma in Retrieval and Transfer Medicine (DRTM) from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh — the second American to obtain this distinction.
According to AAMS President and CEO Jana Williams, the 40 Under 40 program reflects the organization’s commitment to unity and the future of the field:
“Our new 40 Under 40 awards program celebrates the next generation of leaders, while we continue to honor traditions…and legacy awards. This year’s [Air Medical Transport Conference] event builds on our shared momentum — fostering positivity, connection and collaboration across every corner of the industry.”
Also recognized in the 40 Under 40 awards is former Med Flight retrieval and critical care transport medicine fellow Dr. Nicholas George. Finalists include Peter Borkowski, UW Health Med Flight nurse, and Kayla Scott, nurse manager, UW Health pediatric/neonatal transport and pediatric emergency department.
Established in 1980, the Association of Air Medical Services is an international trade organization dedicated to advancing the field of transport medicine through advocacy, education and research to ensure high-quality, life-saving care for patients and communities worldwide.
Learn more about the 2025 class of honorees at aams.org/40under40.