Joan Sullivan Garrett

Last updated
Joan Sullivan Garrett
Joan Garrett-8-1.jpg
Born (1949-08-02) August 2, 1949 (age 75)
Education Mesa Community College
Known forFounder of MedAire, Inc.
Spouse
Franklin Garrett
(m. 1987)

Joan Sullivan Garrett (born August 2, 1949) [1] [2] is a former critical care flight nurse, [3] and American business executive who founded MedAire, Inc. in 1985 and its service arm, MedLink, in 1987. [4] She served as MedAire CEO until 2008 and today is chairman. [5] MedLink is credited with offering the first global in-flight medical assistance program, sometimes referred to as the "911 of the sky". [6] [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Joan Sullivan Garrett was born in San Francisco, California on August 2, 1949, into a family of nurses. She attended Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona, where she earned an associate degree and her license as a registered nurse in her early thirties. She has been certified in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and pediatric advanced life support (PALS). [7] [1]

Flight nursing career

Sullivan Garrett became a flight nurse with Air Evac, an air ambulance company at Banner Health, a trauma center then known as Samaritan Hospital System in Phoenix, Arizona, served as Director of Flight Personnel, and founded a paramedic training program. [8]

In 1984 during a rescue and evacuation mission, Sullivan Garrett was unable to save an eight-year-old patient. [9] [10]

The boy's death inspired Sullivan Garrett to find a way to improve the outcomes of remote medical emergencies. In 1985, she launched her startup, MedAire. [11] [12]

Founder, CEO, and Chairman of MedAire

As MedAire's founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Sullivan Garrett first provided a new and improved version of medical kits to the aviation and maritime industries. She responded to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1985 with a design for a proper medical kit and trained crews in first aid response. [13] [14] In 1987, she pioneered the world's first global remote emergency response center, MedLink, the service arm of MedAire. [15]

In 1997, Sullivan Garrett testified before Congress regarding the need for enhanced emergency medical kits aboard U.S. airlines. [16] MedAire received the American Telemedicine Association's Innovation Award during the Association's annual meeting, held in Tampa, Florida, also in 2004. [17]

Sullivan Garrett stepped down as MedAire CEO in 2008 after the company was acquired by International SOS, and now serves as MedAire chairman, industry consultant, and speaker. [18]

Awards

Sullivan Garrett was recognized during Women's History Month in May 2021 by the National Aviation Hall of Fame and Boom Technology as one of six barrier-breaking women in aviation, including Bessie Coleman, Harriet Quimby, Louise Thaden, Jacqueline Cochran, and Patty Wagstaff. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonny Carter</span> American astronaut, chemist, and U.S. Navy officer (1947–1991)

Manley Lanier "Sonny" Carter Jr., M.D., , was an American chemist, physician, professional soccer player, naval officer and aviator, test pilot, and NASA astronaut who flew on STS-33.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Crippen</span> American astronaut (born 1937)

Robert Laurel Crippen is an American retired naval officer and aviator, test pilot, aerospace engineer, and retired astronaut. He traveled into space four times: as pilot of STS-1 in April 1981, the first Space Shuttle mission; and as commander of STS-7 in June 1983, STS-41-C in April 1984, and STS-41-G in October 1984. He was also a part of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL), Skylab Medical Experiment Altitude Test (SMEAT), ASTP support crew member, and the Approach and Landing Tests (ALT) for the Space Shuttle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guion Bluford</span> First African-American in space (born 1942)

Guion Stewart Bluford Jr. is an American aerospace engineer, retired United States Air Force (USAF) officer and fighter pilot, and former NASA astronaut, in which capacity he became the first African American to go to space. While assigned to NASA, he remained a USAF officer rising to the rank of colonel. He participated in four Space Shuttle flights between 1983 and 1992. In 1983, as a member of the crew of the Orbiter Challenger on the mission STS-8, he became the first African American in space as well as the second black person in space, after Cuban cosmonaut Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Herrington</span> Native American astronaut, aviator and engineer (born 1958)

John Bennett Herrington is a retired United States Naval Aviator, engineer and former NASA astronaut. In 2002, Herrington became the first enrolled citizen of a Native American tribe to fly in space.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Leestma</span> American astronaut (born 1949)

David Cornell Leestma is a former American astronaut and retired Captain in the United States Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dafydd Williams</span> Canadian astronaut, physician and public speaker (born 1954)

Dafydd Rhys "David" Williams is a Canadian physician, public speaker, author and retired CSA astronaut. Williams was a mission specialist on two Space Shuttle missions. His first spaceflight, STS-90 in 1998, was a 16-day mission aboard Space Shuttle Columbia dedicated to neuroscience research. His second flight, STS-118 in August 2007, was flown by Space Shuttle Endeavour to the International Space Station. During that mission he performed three spacewalks, becoming the third Canadian to perform a spacewalk and setting a Canadian record for total number of spacewalks. These spacewalks combined for a total duration of 17 hours and 47 minutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frederick D. Gregory</span> American astronaut and 10th NASA Deputy Administrator (born 1941)

Frederick Drew Gregory is a former United States Air Force pilot, military engineer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut as well as former NASA Deputy Administrator. He also served briefly as NASA Acting Administrator in early 2005, covering the period between the departure of Sean O'Keefe and the swearing in of Michael D. Griffin.

Williams International is an American manufacturer of small gas turbine engines based in Pontiac, Michigan, United States. It produces jet engines for cruise missiles and small jet aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Poberezny</span> United States aviator, founder of Experimental Aircraft Association

Paul Howard Poberezny was an American aviator, entrepreneur, and aircraft designer. He founded the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in 1953, and spent the greater part of his life promoting homebuilt aircraft.

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is a federally recognized 501c3 whose mission is to advance and oversee the advancement of the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight. The NAA achieves this by fostering opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean D. Tucker</span> American aerobatic pilot (born 1952)

Sean Doherty Tucker is an American world champion aerobatic aviator. He was previously sponsored by the Oracle Corporation for many years, performing in air shows worldwide as "Team Oracle". Tucker has won numerous air show championship competitions throughout his career, was named one of the 25 "Living Legends of Flight" by the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in 2003, and was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008. He has led several efforts to assist youth in learning to fly or becoming involved in general aviation, and currently serves as co-chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)'s Young Eagles program, a role he has held since 2013.

Air ambulances in the United States are operated by a variety of hospitals, local government agencies, and for-profit companies. Medical evacuations by air are also performed by the United States Armed Forces and United States National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Poberezny</span> American pilot and association executive (1946–2022)

Thomas Paul Poberezny was an American aerobatic world champion aviator, as well as chairman of the annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Fly-In and Convention from 1977 to 2011 and president of EAA from 1989 to 2010, presiding over a time period of expansive growth for the organization and convention. He succeeded his father, Paul Poberezny, who founded them in 1953.

Air Evac EMS, Inc., operating as Air Evac Lifeteam and sometimes called simply Air Evac, is an American helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) or air ambulance provider headquartered in O'Fallon, Missouri. It is the largest subsidiary of Global Medical Response, though still considered an independent provider. It is also the largest membership-supported air ambulance service in the US operating helicopters from 140 bases in 15 states, mostly in the central and southern regions of the country. While primarily a HEMS provider, it also operates 2 fixed-wing aircraft in Missouri and Kentucky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James D. Raisbeck</span> American aeronautical engineer

James David Raisbeck was an American aeronautical engineer, known for his entrepreneurship in developing products which enhance the performance of production aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josef Schmid (flight surgeon)</span> NASA flight surgeon and Major General in the United States Air Force Reserves

Josef F. Schmid is a German-American physician, NASA flight surgeon and a major general in the United States Air Force Reserves. He served as an aquanaut on the joint NASA-NOAA NEEMO 12 underwater exploration mission in May 2007. On 8 October 2021 he became one of the first humans to be Holoported off the planet and into space, visiting the International Space Station by telepresence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air medical services</span> Use of air vehicles to transport patients

Air medical services are the use of aircraft, including both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters to provide various kinds of urgent medical care, especially prehospital, emergency and critical care to patients during aeromedical evacuation and rescue operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space nursing</span> One of the nursing specialties

Space nursing is a specialty that works with astronauts to determine medical fitness for their missions, equips NASA team members to handle emergencies in orbit and researches the effects of space travel on the human body. The career got its start during the space race of the 1960s and has grown—both in terms of number of people in the field and knowledge base—ever since. Research conducted by medical professionals in the aeronautics field has led to many breakthroughs in disease treatment of earthbound patients and the discipline continually develops new technology to make space medicine more effective.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Air & Space Hall of Fame</span> Hall of fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum

The International Air & Space Hall of Fame is an honor roll of people, groups, organizations, or things that have contributed significantly to the advancement of aerospace flight and technology, sponsored by the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Since its founding in 1963, over 200 individuals have been inducted into the hall, with new additions inaugurated at an annual gala.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Garrett, Joan Sullivan Enshrined 2020". National Aviation Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  2. "Joan Sullivan Garrett, Nurse and Entrepreneur, Transforms an Industry". International SOS. Archived from the original on 2022-12-07. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  3. "IAWA Selects 2017 Aviation Industry Woman of Excellence Award". International Aviation Womens Association. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  4. "Your Medical Co-Pilot". Aero Crews News. April 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  5. Sullivan, J. (2008). "Telethinking with Joan Sullivan Garrett. Interview by Vicki Glaser". Telemedicine Journal and e-Health. 14 (6): 513–516. doi:10.1089/tmj.2008.8497. PMID   18729747 . Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  6. "How Do You Call 911 From 30,000 Feet in the Air?". Blue Sky News. 14 October 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  7. 1 2 "MedAire Founder Joan Sullivan Garrett". Mesa Community College. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  8. 1 2 "Joan Sullivan Garrett Honoree". San Diego Air & Space Museum. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  9. "Off Central: Arizona nurse pioneers treatment for in-air medical emergencies". KTAR News 92.3 FM. 6 March 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  10. "Tempe company providing medical and health services to travelers". East Valley Tribune. 21 October 2004. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  11. "Two Women in Aviation who are role models". JDA Journal. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  12. "HOF Joan Sullivan Garrett KUSI TV". San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives. 8 January 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  13. Leonard, Barry. Air Aid: Medical Kits Reach New Heights, p. 4 (Diane Publishing 1998)
  14. "Controlling What You Can't:Airborne Medical Emergencies". FlyCorporate Magazine. 16 May 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  15. "The National Aviation Hall of Fame Recognizes the "Class of 2020"". The National Aviation Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  16. "Medical Kits On Commercial Airlines". House.gov. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  17. "American Telemedicine Association Recognizes MedAire for Industry Innovation". TMCNET News. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  18. "EBACE Convention News: MedAire Celebrates 30 Years". AIN Online. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  19. "Women pilots: The daredevils, rule-breakers and pioneers who shaped aviation". Boom Technology. 4 May 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  20. "NBAA Congratulates Medical Response Pioneer Joan Sullivan Garrett on National Aviation Hall of Fame Induction". State Aviation Journal. 18 November 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  21. "Medaire founder Joan S. Garrett joins NAHF". International Transport Journal. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  22. "Garrett and Rosanvallon honoured by NBAA". Business Air News. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  23. "Joan Sullivan Garrett, MedAire Founder and Chairman, Enshrined into the National Aviation Hall of Fame". State Aviation Journal. 9 November 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  24. "San Diego Air & Space Museum hosted its International Air & Space Hall of Fame Celebration". Ranch & Coast Magazine. 28 December 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  25. "Jeff Bezos in San Diego: To Save Planet, 'Move All Heavy Industry into Space'". Times of San Diego. 24 November 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  26. "Blue Origin Founder Jeff Bezos to Headline International Air and Space Hall of Fame Class of 2019". Aviation Pros. 5 November 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  27. "Medical Response Pioneer Joan Sullivan Garrett Honored with Meritorious Service Award". The National Business Aviation Association. 27 November 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  28. "Meritorious Service to Aviation Award". The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  29. "Joan Sullivan Garrett". Mesa Community College. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  30. "People in Aviation: October 2001". AIN Online. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  31. "FSF Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award". Flight Safety Foundation. Retrieved November 30, 2021.