In August 2022, five-year-old Tenley was spending summer with her family on Nantucket — a place her dad, Oliver, has loved since childhood. But when Tenley, who has Down Syndrome and is immunocompromised, developed a severe case of pneumonia, what began as a routine trip turned into a critical medical emergency.
After several days of care at Nantucket Cottage Hospital, it became clear that Tenley needed advanced treatment only available in Boston. That’s when the call to Boston MedFlight was made.
Due to weather delays, the Boston MedFlight team arrived late at night — but for her parents Oliver and Kinnon, their arrival brought hope. Oliver accompanied Tenley on the helicopter and remembers how bravely she handled the flight.
Within an hour, Tenley was in her hospital room in Boston, where a team of specialists quickly administered the care she needed to recover. Today, with the ongoing support of her medical team, Tenley is healthy and thriving.
“We are eternally grateful to Boston MedFlight,” Oliver says. “Not just for saving Tenley, but for giving us the peace of mind to continue visiting Nantucket — a place that means the world to our family.”
Nearly a quarter of Boston MedFlight’s transports involve pediatric and neonatal patients. With highly trained crews, specialized equipment, and a compassionate approach to every mission, Boston MedFlight ensures that even the youngest patients receive the advanced care they need.
