Traverse Connect, Munson Healthcare, blueflite, and Central Michigan University’s Rural Health Excellence Institute are launching the second phase of the joint medical delivery project in Traverse City, beginning on October 6 with test flights between Munson Medical Center and Crystal Lake Health Center, according to Traverse Connect. Operations will conclude by October 30. Test flights will simulate the delivery of supplies, lab samples, and medications between the Munson facilities.

“This second phase of the medical drone delivery flights significantly expands the project beyond the successful first phase in 2025,” said Warren Call, president and CEO of Traverse Connect. “This phase extends the flight duration and pilot operation with multiple drones and sensor technology, with approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. The research and operational data gathered will inform best practices for statewide and national adoption, establishing a replicable model for rural healthcare drone integration.”

“We are very excited to build upon what we’ve learned and carry that momentum into this next phase,” said Tracy Cleveland, Munson vice president of supply chain and president of Northern Michigan Supply Alliance. “Expanding this innovative project to now fly multiple drones to multiple Munson Healthcare sites will help us take another step toward operationalizing this for our region and other rural communities.”

The first phase of the Munson Drone Delivery pilot programme conducted nearly 70 flights from May 9-20, 2025. The primary objective was to assess the feasibility of using drones to transport patient laboratory samples between Munson Healthcare facilities. Operating within a one-mile radius of Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, the pilot project demonstrated significant potential to transform healthcare logistics by improving clinical workflow and reducing the time from test to diagnosis to treatment.

Traverse Connect was awarded a grant from the Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) Activation Fund, a collaborative effort between the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The AAM Activation Fund aims to increase coordination across State entities and create a centralized pipeline of projects that can accelerate AAM readiness and growth in the state. Newlab provided additional support for the project.

For more information

https://traverseconnect.com/our-region/medical-drone-delivery/

(Image: Traversconnect)