April 2008 Special Session
Senate Joint Resolution 2
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: life and public service of UW Med Flight crew, Dr. Darren Bean, Mr. Mark Coyne, and Mr. Steve Lipperer.
Whereas, the mission of the UW Med Flight is to support University of Wisconsin physicians and other regional health care providers by providing their patients with critical care and rapid transport; and,
Whereas, last year, UW Med Flight crews transported 1,400 patients to and from hospitals and other medical facilities; and,
Whereas, UW Med Flight crews are dedicated to serving the public as an aeromedical extension of the UW Health System, on call every hour of every day, prepared to provide exceptional, often life-saving care and always swift transport to critically ill or injured patients from any regional medical facility within a 225-mile radius of Madison; and,
Whereas, on May 10, 2008, Dr. Darren Bean, nurse Mark Coyne and pilot Steve Lipperer tragically lost their lives in the line of duty when their helicopter crashed near La Crosse after they safely transported a patient to a local hospital; and,
Whereas, Dr. Darren Bean joined the UW Med Flight team in 2002 and also served as the Madison Fire Department's medical director where he trained scores of law enforcement officers, medical technicians, and public officials on a new cardiocerebral resuscitation protocol, which is credited with dramatically improving the chances of saving heart attack victims; and,
Whereas, Mr. Mark Coyne worked for the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics since 1981 and was a gifted UW Med Flight nurse for two decades and also trained emergency medical technicians, first responders, and paramedics. Mr. Coyne, through his personal medical expertise and through the expertise he imparted on his legions of students has saved thousands of lives; and,
Whereas, Mr. Steve Lipperer, a pilot for UW Med Flight since 2000, loved to fly and developed a reputation as a courageous and conscientious team member and was credited with saving countless lives with his flying skills and abilities; and,
Whereas, Dr. Bean, Mr. Coyne, and Mr. Lipperer, dedicated to aiding and saving the lives of others, gave their lives performing the extraordinary duties of their challenging profession; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature honor Dr. Darren Bean, Mr. Mark Coyne, and Mr. Steve Lipperer for their courage and dedication to the safe and rapid care of the hundreds of patients during their careers; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature express their heartfelt sorrow and deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Dr. Bean, Mr. Coyne, and Mr. Lipperer; and, be it further
Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to Dr. Bean's wife, Stacey Bean, to Mr. Coyne's wife, Anne Coyne, and to Mr. Lipperer's wife, Desiree La Charite.
