Key Takeaways

• Medical transport has evolved from Roman chariots and sedan chairs to high-tech ambulances with advanced life-saving equipment.
• Stan Vashovsky’s career reflects innovation, from founding MEDCARE to leading DocGo’s mobile healthcare expansion.
• Napoleonic “flying ambulances” pioneered treatment in transit, shaping modern emergency medical services.
• The EMS Systems Act of 1973 standardized U.S. emergency medical transport, improving care consistency nationwide.
• DocGo now operates 600,000+ patient transfers yearly using AI-powered dispatch and tech-enabled ambulances.

Stan Vashovsky’s career is a remarkable story of innovation and leadership in the healthcare industry. Born in Kishinev, Moldova, and raised in New York, Vashovsky displayed an entrepreneurial spirit early in life.

At just 18, he founded MEDCARE, a pioneering healthcare services and software company. His vision to harness technology for automating medical device testing quickly turned MEDCARE into a national success, culminating in its acquisition by Philips Healthcare.

Vashovsky’s role as Vice President of Innovations at Philips was marked by groundbreaking projects that advanced healthcare technology.

In 2008, Vashovsky accepted the challenge of leading Health Systems Solutions as CEO and Chairman. His strategic leadership transformed the company, culminating in a successful sale to a private equity firm. This achievement underscored his ability to revitalize businesses and drive growth through innovation.

Vashovsky’s most ambitious project, DocGo, was co-founded in 2015. Under his guidance, DocGo has become a leader in mobile healthcare, offering services in 26 states and the UK. The company’s success is built on Vashovsky’s vision of integrating technology with compassionate care to enhance patient experiences. His career reflects a dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

Medical transportation is a vital piece of our healthcare system with roots that date back to ancient times. The Romans pioneered battlefield surgery and moved wounded soldiers with chariots to military hospitals located within forts or camps.

As a Spanish ruler in the 15th century, Queen Isabella instituted a system of ambulancias, or temporary hospital tents that could be set up near front lines or in the epicenter of epidemics. In 1476, she ordered the creation of specialized bedded wagons used to transport wounded to ambulancias. These “carrying wagons” were not widely adopted, and anything from a horse-drawn wagon to a wheelbarrow were used to transport patients for medical care up to the mid-17th century.

In 1634, the sedan chair was introduced in London as a form of for-hire transport. Named for the French town of Sedan, it was a cabin mounted on a pair of poles that was carried by two people: one in the front and one in the rear. This allowed urban dwellers to avoid the filth and mud of city streets and was more suitable for small alleyways than horse-drawn cabs.

In 1665, the bubonic plague hit London, and the municipal government requisitioned sedan chairs for use in carrying the sick to infirmaries. This represented the UK’s first organized ambulance service and led to a similar “street chair” program in Edinburgh.

Delivering actual treatment or care in a mobile setting did not come about until the Napoleonic wars. In the early 19th century, the battlefield surgeon Dominique-Jean Larrey pioneered the use of two-or-four wheeled light transport wagons, or “flying ambulances,” which housed surgeons and allowed for treatment while in transit.

Decades later, a cholera epidemic hit England, and Manchester set in place “invalid carriages” that allowed patients to lie down while being transported. This carriage had rollers to move the patient’s bed built into the floor, and a side door that could be used by an attendant to access the patient.

In 1865, Cincinnati pioneered a civilian ambulance service, and New York City soon followed suit with horse-drawn carriages. In 1901, the Pan American Expo in Buffalo, New York, showcased the first-ever electric-powered ambulance.

Up until the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act of 1973, medical transport varied widely across the United States. The EMS Act standardized a system of providing EMS care and transport to all who suffered medical emergencies related to accident, disease, natural disaster, or health condition. The Trauma Care System & Planning Development Act of 1990 made local authorities responsible for providing EMS care and establishing designated trauma centers and transport systems.

Today, EMS providers rely on advanced technology to maximize the efficiency of complex medical transport systems. For example, DocGo operates a technology-enabled medical transportation business in markets across the US and in the UK, with a fleet of vehicles staffed with highly trained EMTs and paramedics. Each vehicle in its fleet is equipped with leading edge equipment such as cardiac monitors, IV supplies, oxygen delivery systems, defibrillators, and airway management equipment.

Arranging over 600,000 patient transfers each year, DocGo helps their hospital and health system partners provide patients with safe, timely transition from inpatient to outpatient care and to their homes. DocGo’s proprietary computer-aided dispatch platform ensures patients have the right medical teams and vehicles assigned for their trip, simplifies ordering with robust Electronic Health Record system integrations, and delivers real-time transparency into vehicle location with their ShareLink technology.

I worked as a volunteer medic in NYC for over two decades, where I had the privilege to learn from and team up with some of the finest medics in the industry. From chariots and sedan chairs to AI-powered dispatch and high-tech ambulances, it’s clear that the evolution of medical transportation reflects centuries of innovation aimed at saving lives, and I’m glad for the opportunities I’ve had to be of service.

As technology continues to advance, providers like DocGo are carrying that legacy forward – delivering smarter, safer, and more connected care wherever patients need it most.

FAQ

Who is Stan Vashovsky?

Stan Vashovsky is a healthcare innovator who co-founded DocGo and has led major projects integrating technology and patient care.

What are some historic milestones in medical transport?

From Roman chariots and Queen Isabella’s ambulancias to sedan chairs, flying ambulances, and the first electric ambulance in 1901.

When did the U.S. standardize EMS services?

The EMS Systems Act of 1973 created a unified national framework for emergency medical transport and care.

What technology powers modern medical transport?

Modern ambulances feature cardiac monitors, defibrillators, IV systems, and AI-powered dispatch platforms for efficient care coordination.

What role does DocGo play today?

DocGo operates across the U.S. and UK, providing 600,000+ patient transfers annually with advanced equipment and real-time dispatch technology.