NorthWell Health’s Wehda El Aridi, Speaks about MD ONBOARD’s Growth and Future Prospects

MD ONBOARD, a remote medical advisory services company is a company specialized in provision of aviation emergency medicine. The company delivers medical advice and support to the global aviation market, with a focus on real-time assistance to flight crews and ground staff, managing medical events from preflight to inflight to post-flight.
The Aviator Africa talked to Wehda El Aridi, chief growth officer at MD ONBOARD about the company’s growth and future prospects in an interview below.

Qn: Why did Northwell Health found an Aeromedical Company?

Ans: Northwell Health, one of the largest and most innovative healthcare systems in the United States, founded MD ONBOARD with a clear mission: to address a critical gap in aviation medicine. Drawing on decades of experience in both the healthcare and aviation industries, Northwell recognized the growing need for a reliable, efficient, and consistent solution to managing medical situations at 35,000 feet.

The aviation industry—spanning both business and commercial sectors—faces unique challenges when it comes to medical emergencies. Limited access to immediate care, variability in response protocols, and the high stakes of inflight incidents all highlight the need for a robust system that ensures passenger and crew safety. Through extensive research and collaboration with aviation professionals, Northwell Health identified these gaps and developed MD ONBOARD as a cutting-edge solution. Leveraging expertise in healthcare and aeromedical operations, MD ONBOARD bridges the divide by providing real-time medical support, advanced training, and innovative tools tailored for the aviation environment.

This initiative reflects Northwell Health’s commitment to pioneering advancements that improve lives beyond traditional healthcare settings. By founding MD ONBOARD, Northwell is not only solving a pressing problem but also setting a new standard for inflight medical care, empowering aviation professionals with the resources and confidence to handle medical emergencies anywhere in the world.

Qn: How are you different than others who provide medical care for the aviation industry?

Ans: At MD ONBOARD, we stand apart from others in the aviation medical industry because we are built on a foundation of excellence: a 911-accredited emergency medical service infrastructure that ensures immediate, professional, and reliable care. Unlike other providers, our first point of contact is highly trained paramedics who are skilled in emergency response, offering a level of expertise and responsiveness that is unparalleled.

What truly sets us apart is our integration with Northwell Health, a leader in healthcare innovation. Through this partnership, we connect aviation crews with aviation-specialized physicians and paramedics who are not only experienced in providing remote care but also deeply familiar with the unique challenges of inflight emergencies. This specialization ensures that the advice and support crews receive are not just medical in nature but tailored to the nuances of the aviation environment.

Moreover, we leverage advanced technology to provide faster and more stable connectivity—a critical advantage in an industry where time and reliability are paramount. Our ability to deliver seamless telehealth services even in the skies positions us as a trusted partner for aviation teams, enabling them to access life-saving expertise when they need it most.

MD ONBOARD isn’t just a new player in aviation medicine; we are a proven telehealth provider bringing innovative solutions to the skies. By combining robust infrastructure, aviation-specific medical expertise, and cutting-edge technology, we are redefining what’s possible in inflight medical care.

Qn: What are the critical services that you will be able to provide?

Ans: MD ONBOARD offers a comprehensive suite of critical services designed to enhance safety and medical preparedness in aviation:
• Inflight Medical Advisory Services: Real-time support from aviation-specialized physicians and paramedics to handle medical emergencies effectively.
• Preflight Medical Advice: Expert guidance for ground staff and passenger clearance to address potential medical issues before take-off.
• Postflight Medical Support: Assistance with debriefing and evaluating inflight medical events to ensure continuous improvement and readiness.
• Crew Health and Security Assistance Services: Comprehensive support to ensure crew well-being and address health or security concerns, both inflight and on the ground, enabling them to operate safely and confidently.
• Aviation Medical Equipment Reviews: Assessing and optimizing onboard medical equipment to meet the highest standards of safety and functionality.
• Crew Training and Education: Providing robust training programs and materials to empower crews with the knowledge and confidence to manage medical scenarios.

These services collectively ensure comprehensive support for aviation teams at every stage—preflight, inflight, and postflight—setting a new standard for medical care in the skies and when away from home