Wikipedia

Joan Sullivan Garrett

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]

Joan Sullivan Garrett
Born (1949-08-02) August 2, 1949 (age 75)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
EducationMesa Community College
Known forFounder of MedAire, Inc.
Spouse
Franklin Garrett
​
(m. 1987)​

Early life and education

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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

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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

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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

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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]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "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. ^ a b "MedAire Founder Joan Sullivan Garrett". Mesa Community College. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "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. 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. 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.
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