Joan Sullivan Garrett
Personal Information
Born: 1949
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: White
Education
Mesa Community college AAS/RN 1979
""Who would have ever guessed that a registered nurse, and later a critical care emergency flight nurse, would found a global company in the remote medicine and travel industries? My dream was never to be an entrepreneur or inventor. That’s not what I set out to do. My purpose in life was to care for others." (joansullivangarrett.com); "I developed a way to connect flight crews, while aloft, with ground-based doctors by using communication channels such as high frequency radio, satellite, and teletype transmissions, for instance, Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC, established in 1929), and its Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS, available in 1978). We subscribed to this teletype messaging service to allow communication with an airline’s dispatch and cockpit when needed." (joansullivangarrett.com/2021); "
— Joan Sullivan Garrett
Professional Life
Field of Study: Nursing
Institution/Corporation: AEA Investment Ltd; MedAire Inc; MedLink;
Degrees & Memberships: Member: Board of Directors AEA International Ltd (2008); Director at Aerospace Medical Association; International Aviation Women's Association; International Society of Travel Medicine; Arizona Business Leadership; Board member at Volato
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 2021 recognized by the National Aviation Hall of Fame and Boom Technology as one of six barrier-breaking women in aviation; 2020 inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame; 2019 inducted into International Air & Space Hall of Fame;2017 NBAA Meritorious Service to Aviation Award; 2017 International Aviation Women's Association Woman of Excellence Award; 2017 inducted into the Hall of Fame at Mesa Community College; 2005 Arizona State University Spirit of Enterprise Award; 2001 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award; 1997 Flight Safety Foundation Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award;
Achievements: 1985 founded MedAire Inc; 1987, founded MedLink; critical care flight nurse, telemed pioneer; offered the 1st global in-flight assistance program; founded a paramedic training program; author of One Life Lost, Millions Gained - The Story of a Flight Nurse Turned MedAire CEO;
is a former critical care flight nurse
served as MedAire CEO until 2008 and today is chairman
is certified in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and pediatric advanced life support (PALS)founded MedAire after a rescue and evacuation mission in 1984 when she was unable to save the life of an 8-year-old boy
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
2008 MedAire was acquired by International SOS
once implanted a pacemaker during an emergency
“a handshake is a hug” is her motto
author of numerous papers regarding medical and health subjects
her Congressional testimony in 2001 led the Federal Aviation Administration to require U.S. airlines to carry automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and enhanced medical kits (EMKs) on all domestic flights
is an avid gardener
loves horses