A Sight to See: Social Media Marketing Class Visits Mercy Flight Central

As part of Fisher’s commitment to community-engaged learning, Dr. Monica Hodis, associate professor in the School of Business, brought students from her social media marketing class on an educational field trip to Mercy Flight Central, a non-profit organization that provides life-saving air medical services.

The tour provided these aspiring social media specialists with a unique opportunity to see Mercy Flight's vital operations firsthand. From interviewing committed personnel and crew members to photographing the thrilling sight of a helicopter takeoff and landing, the students gained valuable knowledge and experience. This tour not only helped them realize the critical role that social media plays in promoting key services, but it also motivated them to create compelling content that showcases Mercy Flight Central's effective work.

Students Dylan Stoller ’25 and Will Burdick ’25 learned a lot about the diverse nature of Mercy Flight Central's operations during their interviews with the staff. Stoller discovered that every team member, from the aircraft crew to the ground crew, is critical to ensuring that their services run smoothly and efficiently. He was particularly taken by the staff's strong feeling of camaraderie and deep commitment to the organization's mission. Burdick reaffirmed these comments, praising the staff's warmth and motivation, and described his meeting with CEO Jeff Bartkoski, who expressed delight in making a difference in people's lives. Both students were impressed by the personnel's diverse backgrounds, which included military and aviation expertise, contributing to their high degree of professionalism and dedication to Mercy Flight's mission.

Stoller and Burdick's experience at Mercy Flight Central provided them with a lot of original and fascinating material for their social media channels. Stoller emphasized that the interviews allowed for unique stories that showcased the staff's dedication and experience, while the helicopter's landing and takeoff supplied dynamic footage for captivating videos. Burdick pointed out the value of capitalizing on positive experiences shared by employees, proposing the launch of a campaign to generate buzz and awareness.

“In Hodis’ social media marketing class, we were asked to create a campaign proposal that could get Mercy Flight Central more exposure and a bigger social media presence. I came up with #MiracleMinute, which encouraged people to share videos of impactful moments where every second counts. Remembering a minute when your life changed or when a minute mattered in your life, highlighting how Mercy Flight Central made a difference,” said Burdick.

The trip greatly improved Stoller and Burdick's knowledge of the importance of social media in marketing critical services such as air medical transport. Stoller remarked that social media networks provide a unique chance to educate the public about important services that may otherwise go unnoticed. 

“Through Mercy Flight Central’s presence on social media, I saw firsthand how visual content, storytelling, and engagement can help convey the importance of their mission, attract support, and foster a sense of community,” Stoller observed. 

Burdick noted that the trip also offered him a better understanding of how social media can help nonprofits communicate with funders and supporters while also engaging with the general public about the impact of their work. Both students acknowledged social media's ability to raise awareness and develop trust in Mercy Flight Central's services, which is critical for attracting support and growing community engagement.

Witnessing a helicopter take-off and landing had a significant impact on Stoller and Burdick's perspectives on air medical services. Stoller viewed the experience as eye-opening, illustrating the level of complexity and precision required to ensure the helicopter is "flight-ready" and capable of providing vital services. Burdick echoed this, noting that seeing the helicopter in action increased his respect for Mercy Flight's unique and effective service. Both students agreed that the visual of helicopters in operation would get a lot of attention on social media sites, sparking curiosity and interaction.