OUR COMPANY
Joan Sullivan Garrett founded MedAire in 1985 after her work as a critical-care flight nurse exposed a recurring problem: when a medical emergency happened far from a hospital, people were separated from the expertise and resources they needed. She built MedAire around a practical answer—better medical kits, hands-on training, and a direct connection to emergency physicians on the ground.
As Founder and Chair of the Board, Joan remains closely identified with the purpose that shaped the company: bringing medical support closer to people wherever they travel.
Nursing roots
A loss that changed the course of aviation medicine
Joan's idea for MedAire grew from the realities of emergency nursing and air medical transport. In 1984, an eight-year-old patient died after a remote accident in Arizona. The loss stayed with her. It sharpened a question that had followed her through other remote cases: what could change if people on scene had appropriate medical supplies, practical training, and immediate access to clinical guidance?
That question became a blueprint. Instead of asking non-medical crew members to manage alone, Joan imagined a connected system that would help them recognize an emergency, use the resources onboard, and reach an emergency physician from wherever they were.
From idea to infrastructure
Medical kits, training and a physician connection
Joan incorporated MedAire in 1985, financing the early work with her savings and personal credit while continuing her hospital and flight-nursing responsibilities. She studied the FAA's proposed medical-kit rules, drew on her experience of emergencies in the aviation environment, and built the first part of the company around more useful onboard supplies.
Training followed because equipment alone was not enough. In 1987, she established MedLink to connect aircraft and maritime crews with emergency physicians on the ground using the communications available at the time. That completed the model she describes in her autobiography as a three-legged stool: medical kits, training, and telemedicine.
For nearly a decade, Joan kept MedAire's limited resources in the business rather than drawing a salary from the company. The choice reflects the persistence behind the model as much as the dates do.
1985
MedAire incorporated
Joan began building organized medical kits and practical education for the travel environment.
1987
MedLink established
Emergency physicians on the ground could support crews managing medical events far from a hospital.
Persistence beyond the company
Changing the standard for onboard medical readiness
Joan carried evidence gathered through MedLink into industry forums and policymaking. She wrote and presented extensively on in-flight emergencies, medical-kit contents, defibrillation, and the effects of the aviation environment on health.
In 2001, Joan provided congressional testimony on in-flight medical preparedness, including the value of automated external defibrillators and enhanced emergency medical kits. The FAA's related rule took effect in 2004.
Recognition
Recognition across aviation, medicine and entrepreneurship
The honors tell a story larger than a list of awards: Joan was recognized both for building a company and for advancing the way aviation prepares for medical events.
1997
Flight Safety Foundation Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award
2001
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
2005
Arizona State University W. P. Carey School of Business Spirit of Enterprise Award
2017
NBAA Meritorious Service to Aviation Award; International Aviation Womens Association Woman of Excellence Award; Mesa Community College Hall of Fame
2019
International Air & Space Hall of Fame
2020
National Aviation Hall of Fame; Aerospace Medical Association David M. Clark Award
In her own words
One Life Lost, Millions Gained
Joan's autobiography is the fullest account of the experiences behind MedAire—from flight nursing and the first medical kits to the development of MedLink, years of industry advocacy, and the people who helped turn the idea into an international operation.
It is also a candid account of the choices, risks, and persistence behind a company created to answer one urgent question: how can expert medical help travel farther?