MedAire, the world’s leading integrated aviation and maritime provider of medical, travel and safety services, celebrates its 30th Anniversary.

Founded in 1985 by Flight Nurse Joan Sullivan Garrett to provide on-demand medical advice for in-flight medical emergencies the company has grown to be the provider of choice for travel risk management solutions for passengers and crew of airlines, business and general aviation, and luxury yachts.

MedAire was an idea born from a tragic roll-over accident on an Arizona country road in 1983. Garrett was chief medical officer on a helicopter emergency evacuation flight, responding to an accident in which a young boy had been injured. Through this experience and others like it, Garrett realized there was an opportunity to improve the advanced medical expertise and medical kits available to travelers to save and sustain lives.

As a result, Garrett stopped being a nurse and started being an entrepreneur, launching MedAire to bring emergency room level medical expertise to the scene of remote medical incidents. 

Today, because of her vision and determination, and through MedAire’s medical kits, training and state-of-the-art technology, crewmembers are well-trained and equipped for medical emergencies in the air or on the ground. “While MedAire’s service offerings to core clients and markets have grown over the years, my original concept transcends time.” Garrett said, “Our mission has and always will be around saving lives.”

Joan Sullivan Garrett

Ms. Garrett never envisioned herself as a visionary or the head of a company with global assets and Fortune 500 clients, but today MedAire is an important part of the global International SOS group of companies and provides medical and travel safety services to crewmembers and passengers around the world.

Acquired in 2008 by International SOS, which has facilities in more than 92 countries, MedAire provides medical training for flight crews, on-board medical equipment, on-the-ground medical and security assistance and 24/7 medical advice and assistance. It is credited with establishing the world’s first global emergency response center for the aviation industry, and provides immediate, real-time medical and safety assistance, whether in the air, on land or at sea.

Ms. Garrett is a Board member of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and is the Chair of its Associate Member Advisory Council (AMAC). Formerly a member of the Advisory Board for International Aviation Women’s Association (IAWA), Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA), International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM), and the former Vice Chair of the Flight Safety Foundation Board. She also consults with aviation industry leaders and government agencies such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, provides Congressional testimony on health and safety issues and consults with private industry on technology applications for distance-based medical care. In 1997 Ms. Garrett was the recipient of the Flight Safety Foundation Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award and received the Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2001.

Travel safety course for pilots, crew and executives

In further news, MedAire has announced a new e-learning course to provide crewmembers and executives with the knowledge and skills to enhance their personal safety when traveling.

MedAire’s Travel Risk Awareness e-Learning provides information on layover safety, travel precautions when choosing accommodation and transport, as well as tactics to respond to acts of violence, crime, natural disasters in an unfamiliar location.

The web-based course content is based on real-life scenarios from MedAire’s medical and security assistance experience.

“Taking a proactive approach to preparing crew and passengers before travel is an essential part of any travel risk management plan,” said Bill Dolny, CEO of MedAire. “MedAire’s Travel Risk Awareness e-Learning educates students on personal safety best practices and helps mitigate the security risks crew and executives may face when traveling.”

The Travel Risk Awareness e-Learning is part of the MedAire travel risk management suite of services. The online course can be completed at the students’ convenience, wherever they are located. The course includes infographics, animations, expert videos, and audio film strips to keep students engaged and includes a Traveler Toolkit, a handy reference guide of key tips and risk mitigation advice.

The e-Learning platform reduces productivity losses and travel-related costs of having to attend in-person training. In addition, reporting capabilities allow clients to monitor whether their employees have completed the course to track compliance with internal travel policies.

More information at: www.medaire.com/bga