Medic One Ambulance Service

In 2000, Ryan Kibler noticed northeast Arkansas could use another ambulance company. So he opened Medic One Ambulance Service on Jan. 1, 2001. Since then Medic One’s ambulances haven’t slowed down.

In its first year, the Jonesboro ambulance company, which serves 13 hospitals in six counties in northeast Arkansas and southern Missouri, made 1,200 ambulance runs.

Kibler, the president of Medic One, said one of the most difficult challenges was gaining the trust of the residents in the counties it serves. “Caring for a loved one, that’s a precious thing,” he said.

It appears Medic One gained that trust. In 2007, Medic One made 31,000 ambulance runs, Kibler said. Medic One now accounts for 98 percent of the ambulance runs in the area, Kibler said.

Medic One also has seen its revenue rise. In 2001, it had about $1 million in revenue. Now its revenue is approaching $10 million, Kibler said, despite the fact that many patients are unable to pay or pay slowly.

And the fleet of 23 ambulances is growing. In March, Medic One is adding a $4 million helicopter to transport serious trauma cases to hospitals.

Kibler said the secret to the company’s success is following his motto: “Do the right thing for a long period of time.” Kibler said the company’s 163 employees are constantly receiving more education to keep up with the latest emergency techniques. In 2007, the company won the 2007 Governor’s Family-Friendly Spotlight Award for allowing employees to have a crib area in the office to bring newborns to work.

Kibler also said the company is successful because it treats patients “with loving, caring care. When someone trusts you with their life, it’s the greatest honor you can have in business.”