We are Commercial Medical Escorts
Getting You Home Since 2006
Cost-Effective Airline Medical Transport
Commercial Medical Escorts (CME) was founded in 2006 by Blake Yturralde. Blake, a Paramedic with expertise in critical care and aeromedical transportation, identified the need for a company that solely focused on airline medical transportation. CME was born to provide customers around the globe a cost-effective solution for their airline medical transportation needs.
CME’s headquarters in sunny South Florida is connected to an extensive network of registered nurses, physicians, and paramedics staffed throughout the United States and the world, in order to best serve our clients domestically and abroad.
Through the years, CME has perfected solving many of the logistical issues that can arise in aeromedical transportation. With travel guidelines and restrictions constantly changing, CME regularly monitors and responds to the most current safety standards, maintaining several accreditations and awards for leadership in this highly specialized industry.
CME is privately owned and the owners take a hands-on approach, fostering a fun and professional atmosphere. Coordinators are chosen for passion and dedication to their job. No two cases are alike. We provide individualized and unique attention to ensure the best results in each of our cases, with our team ready to assist 24/7.
At CME we pride ourselves on the selection of our clinical team and maintain the key values of compassion, confidence, and adaptability. The majority of our team has been with us since day one and views their work as more than a job. Our nurses and physicians exceed industry standards. They are required to have at least 5 years critical care experience, ACLS, trauma course, PALS, and flight medical certification, with many of our clinicians holding further qualifications. All our staff completes a variety of training as part of our continuing education program to maintain the highest quality of service for our clients.
Why CME?
When you choose CME, you have a world class team on your side committed to excellence. We make all the arrangements on the ground and in the sky that can be overlooked, supporting both patient and family. Our experience and long-lasting relationships with airlines, hospitals, trains, and ground transportation ensure unparalleled service and comfort to you and your family. Each and every case is handled with care and it is our personal goal to help bring your loved one home. Patient security is of utmost importance; CME is fully insured to protect our clinicians as well as the patient and their sensitive health information. With experience and accreditations, CME has developed an impeccable program that focuses on maintaining high quality standards in patient care.
Accreditations & Awards
USTIA
CME has been an active member of the USTIA since 2010. Working with the top US travel Insurance underwriters, through the past years, CME has provided representation on various committees and served as a USTIA board member.
CAMTS
CAMTS is a third part accreditation process which verifies that transport companies are upholding the best quality of safety and medical standards in the US. CME has been CAMTS accredited since 2014, having successfully completed two reaccreditations.
THIA
THIA is an association of Canadian travel insurance. CME has been an active member since 2010.
ITIC
International Travel & Health Insurance Conferences (ITIC) - a recognized platform that brings together all aspects of the travel industry. CME has been actively involved with the ITIC for the past 10 years being named the first medical escort company to win the medical provider of the year award in 2014.
EURAMI
The European Aero-Medical Institute (EURAMI) - Our newest achievement has been successfully completing our EUAMI accreditation in 2019, now being the first medical escort company to be duel accredited in the US and Europe. Working alongside EURAMI helps CME understand the European medical standards, as well as working hand in hand with European providers.
Meet our Experienced Team
Blake Yturralde
CEO
Blake Yturralde is originally from Deerfield Beach, Florida and now resides in Parkland, Florida. Blake is the founder and CEO of Commercial Medical Escorts. Blake’s vision for a company that solely focuses on transporting patients via commercial airlines has developed into a world-known company transporting thousands of patients safely home since 2006. Blake has over 20 years of ER and critical care experience. He is a pillar of CME leading business development, operations, and the medical side of CME. When Blake is not traveling, he is extremely adventurous, you will either find him poolside, or at a country music concert.
Blake Yturralde
Edward Mutzl
PARAMEDIC
Edward Mutzl, is originally from Elkhart, Indiana and now resides in Mesa, Arizona. He joined the CME team in 2012. Edward has 25 years‘ experience in medical care and occupational therapy. Any opportunity he can he visits his family in Japan. He also enjoys cycling and the outdoors.
Elanie Yturralde
Director
Elanie Yturralde is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina and now resides in Parkland, Florida. Elanie is the co-founder and CFO of Commercial Medical Escorts. Working alongside Blake, she has played an intimate roll in the upbringing of CME. Elanie is a pillar of CME leading finances, accreditations, and overall management. CME has given Elanie the opportunity to see the world, but most importantly, help people along the way. Elanie enjoys poolside barbeques, live music, dancing, and spending time with her two beautiful daughters.
Elanie Yturralde
Edward Mutzl
PARAMEDIC
Edward Mutzl, is originally from Elkhart, Indiana and now resides in Mesa, Arizona. He joined the CME team in 2012. Edward has 25 years‘ experience in medical care and occupational therapy. Any opportunity he can he visits his family in Japan. He also enjoys cycling and the outdoors.
Mark Glencross
Medical Director
Mark Glencross is CME’s original medical director, helping to mold CME’s medical department into what it is today. He has practiced for over 30 years and has in-depth knowledge of aeromedical and aviation medicine, occupational medicine, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, as well as licensed in five different states (FL, GA, TX, NC, OH).
Mark Glencross
Edward Mutzl
PARAMEDIC
Edward Mutzl, is originally from Elkhart, Indiana and now resides in Mesa, Arizona. He joined the CME team in 2012. Edward has 25 years‘ experience in medical care and occupational therapy. Any opportunity he can he visits his family in Japan. He also enjoys cycling and the outdoors.
Brock Whitson
Chief Flight Nurse
Brock Whitson is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana and now resides in Jackson, Mississippi. Brock has over 15 years of experience in medicine, specifically working on an emergency flight team. Brock specializes in cardiac, surgical, trauma, and critical care. Brock joined the CME team in 2010 as a flight nurse. With his agile knowledge in the industry, he became the official CFN in 2017. Brock is an avid foodie who seeks out local cuisine when traveling.
Brock Whitson
Edward Mutzl
PARAMEDIC
Edward Mutzl, is originally from Elkhart, Indiana and now resides in Mesa, Arizona. He joined the CME team in 2012. Edward has 25 years‘ experience in medical care and occupational therapy. Any opportunity he can he visits his family in Japan. He also enjoys cycling and the outdoors.
Walter Kerr
Safety Officer / Paramedic
Walter Kerr is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and now resides in Jenson Beach, Florida. He joined the CME team in 2016 and became the official safety officer in 2019. Walter has 30 years experience as a flight and critical care paramedic and 27 years as a veteran police officer. Walter enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid golfer.
Walter Kerr
SAFETY OFFICER
Walter Kerr is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and now resides in Jenson Beach, Florida. He joined the CME team in 2016 and became the official safety officer in 2019. Walter has 30 years experience as a flight and critical care paramedic and 27 years as a veteran police officer. Walter enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid golfer.
Susanne Bazos
Finance / Logistics Coordinator
Susanne Bazos, is originally from South Florida. She joined the CME team in 2019 and most recently has taken on the accounting supervisor role. An FAU grad she studied multimedia studies with a minor in sociology. She enjoys couponing, her Frenchie's and spending time with her family.
Susanne Bazos
Alexandra Crosby
Logistics Coordinator / Travel Agent
Alexandra Crosby, is originally from Seattle, Washington and now resides in Boynton Beach Florida. Alexandra joined CME in 2017 and most recently joined the FLY CME team in 2018, taking on the lead agent role. She loves coming to work, knowing she will learn something new each and every day. She enjoys spending time with her family and her twin grandbabies.
Alexandra Crosby
LEAD AGENT
Alexandra Crosby, is originally from Seattle, Washington and now resides in Boynton Beach Florida. Alexandra joined CME in 2017 and most recently joined the FLY CME team in 2018, taking on the lead agent role. She loves coming to work, knowing she will learn something new each and every day. She enjoys spending time with her family and her twin grandbabies.
Hector Romero
Logistics Coordinator / Travel Agent
Hector Romero, is originally from Valencia, Spain and now resides in South Florida. He joined the CME team in 2019. Hector studied international business and trade. He has also recently joined our FLY CME team in 2020. Hector enjoys playing the guitar, traveling to exotic places, and loves to see happy reunited families after a challenging medical transport case.
Hector Romero
TITLE
Hector Romero, is originally from Valencia, Spain and now resides in South Florida. He joined the CME team in 2019. Hector studied international business and trade. He has also recently joined our FLY CME team in 2020. Hector enjoys playing the guitar, traveling to exotic places, and loves to see happy reunited families after a challenging medical transport case.
Michael Margolies
Flight Physician
Dr. Margolies is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and now resides in Boca Raton, Florida. He joined the CME team in 2013 as a Flight Doctor. Michael received his medical degree from Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and has been in practice for more than 20 years as an ER physician. A man of many trades, Dr. Margolies is also a private pilot.
Michael Margolies
FLIGHT DOCTOR
Dr. Margolies is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and now resides in Boca Raton, Florida. He joined the CME team in 2013 as a Flight Doctor. Michael received his medical degree from Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and has been in practice for more than 20 years as an ER physician. A man of many trades, Dr. Margolies is also a private pilot.
Carmen Novitski
Flight Nurse
Carmen Novitski, is originally from Hawley, Pennsylvania and now resides in San Antonio, Texas. He joined the CME team in 2010. Carmen has 22 years’ experience as a full-time helicopter flight nurse and paramedic. Carmen enjoys spending time with his wife and twin daughters; they love vacations and exploring new places.
Carmen Novitski
RESCUE NURSE
Carmen Novitski, is originally from Hawley, Pennsylvania and now resides in San Antonio, Texas. He joined the CME team in 2010. Carmen has 22 years’ experience as a full-time helicopter flight nurse and paramedic. Carmen enjoys spending time with his wife and twin daughters; they love vacations and exploring new places.
Amanda Smrcka
Flight Nurse
Amanda Smrcka, is originally from Banstead, Surrey, UK and is now residing in Detroit, Michigan. She joined the CME team in 2010. Amanda has 21 years experience in stroke, trauma and orthopedics in various hospitals throughout the United States. Her favorite quote is “If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep walking"—Buddhist saying.
Amanda Smrcka
FLIGHT NURSE
Amanda Smrcka, is originally from Banstead, Surrey, UK and is now residing in Detroit, Michigan. She joined the CME team in 2010. Amanda has 21 years experience in stroke, trauma and orthopedics in various hospitals throughout the United States. Her favorite quote is “If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep walking"—Buddhist saying.
Julie Dilorenzo
FLIGHT NURSE
Julie Di Lorenzo, is originally from Andover, Massachusetts and is now residing in Phoenix, Arizona. She joined the CME team in 2015. Julie has 30 years’ experience in Cardiac ICUs in hospitals throughout the United States. Julie’s favorite saying is “caring for someone and giving them the support they need during a difficult time is what makes my job so worthwhile.”
Julie Dilorenzo
FLIGHT NURSE
Julie Di Lorenzo, is originally from Andover, Massachusetts and is now residing in Phoenix, Arizona. She joined the CME team in 2015. Julie has 30 years’ experience in Cardiac ICUs in hospitals throughout the United States. Julie’s favorite saying is “caring for someone and giving them the support they need during a difficult time is what makes my job so worthwhile.”
Isabel Domingez
FLIGHT NURSE
Isabel Dominguez, is originally from Caracas, Venezuela and is now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. She joined the CME team in 2007. Isabel worked as a flight attendant before starting her nursing career of 29 years in all areas of nursing. Isabel enjoys missionary assignments and helping families in India.
Isabel Domingez
FLIGHT NURSE
Isabel Dominguez, is originally from Caracas, Venezuela and is now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. She joined the CME team in 2007. Isabel worked as a flight attendant before starting her nursing career of 29 years in all areas of nursing. Isabel enjoys missionary assignments and helping families in India.
Edward Mutzl
PARAMEDIC
Edward Mutzl, is originally from Elkhart, Indiana and now resides in Mesa, Arizona. He joined the CME team in 2012. Edward has 25 years‘ experience in medical care and occupational therapy. Any opportunity he can he visits his family in Japan. He also enjoys cycling and the outdoors.
Edward Mutzl
PARAMEDIC
Edward Mutzl, is originally from Elkhart, Indiana and now resides in Mesa, Arizona. He joined the CME team in 2012. Edward has 25 years‘ experience in medical care and occupational therapy. Any opportunity he can he visits his family in Japan. He also enjoys cycling and the outdoors.
Commercial Medical Escorts values every client relationship. We comply with all individual medical travel assistance company requirements with respect to communication, patient care documentation and billing practices. We strive to accommodate all requests made by our clients, to satisfy their clients. Commercial Medical Escorts is a leader in aeromedical transportation and is always willing to share our expertise with new companies seeking our high quality of medical escort service. We look forward to new opportunities to build long lasting relationships with travel assistance and medical travel insurance companies. With a long term track record for success providing our services to insurance companies, we guarantee CME can deliver superior patient care, competitive prices, and quality of service that has made CME into the leader in aeromedical transportation.
CME’s medical escort program is used by a variety of travel assistance companies through the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Our strong medical travel insurance partnership with a variety of assistance companies is based on the excellent customer service we provide, our top notch medical team, and our ability to staff medical transfers on short notice. CME’s medical travel insurance partnership is with many of the leading assistance companies and we are trusted as preferred providers.
Our strong network of nurses and physicians allows CME to be able to assist any individual around the world who may have medical travel insurance coverage with a travel assistance company. We have nurses and physicians located throughout the USA including Florida, California, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Hawaii, Mississippi, Illinois, Georgia, New York, Washington DC, Oregon, Colorado, and Arizona. Many of our physicians and nurses hold visa’s to a variety of countries including China, India, Brazil, and Russia to name a few. We do have several nurses with dual citizenship, which also extends our ability to enter a variety of countries that may require a US citizen to have a visa.
Our nurses and physicians exceed the industry standards. They are required to have 5 years critical care experience, ACLS, trauma course, PALS, flight medical certificate, and many are much more qualified. All of our staff is required to complete a variety of training within our continuing education program.
Whether you are looking for a preferred provider for your medical escorts or simply want to explore a new provider, we encourage you to give us that opportunity so that you may realize why so many travel assistance companies have developed a medical travel insurance partnership with CME. Services we provide for travel assistance companies include:
- Cost Savings and Competitive Pricing
- Reliable and dependable network of nurses
- In-house travel agent
- Professional liability insurance at $1,000,000/$3,000,000
- Professionalism and live updates throughout each medical repatriation
- Medical evaluation of medical report
- In-house doctor and chief flight nurse available for medical advise
- Portable Oxygen Concentrators and Airline Medical Clearance
- Outstanding Geographical Coverage of nurses and physicians
- Thorough detailed medical documentation on each medical repatriation
- We measure our performance and document results
- CME has an annually reviewed and updated operational policies and procedures manual
When making your travel plans, most people anticipate the perfect vacation, until something happens. CME has helped thousands of travelers with unexpected trip interruptions for various reasons.
When making final decisions for family members, it can be stressful and overwhelming to decide which organization is best for transporting your loved one home. When hiring CME, we remove the burden of the extra problems you don’t expect to deal with. Whether it’s dealing with rehab admissions or getting a fit to fly form, we cover it all.
CME is a proud member of the Case Management Society of America. CME believes in the professional collaboration across the healthcare industry and understands that hospital case managers play a critical role in assisting patients to find the necessary resources and support they may need.
We encourage you to share our contact information with your patients so that they are in contact with a reliable and dependable medical escort company. We will communicate and work very closely with the hospital case managers to see that your patient is safely delivered to their destination. From the moment of first contact, CME will develop a medical travel partnership with the hospital case manager, making the process of arranging a medical escort seamless.
If you are interested in partnering with Commercial Medical Escorts, we encourage you to contact our office at info@commercialmedicalescorts.com to arrange an in-service presentation with our medical and operations team.
