Death of Greg Powell, founder of the Stars Air ambulance service

Greg Powell, visionary founder and former CEO of the Aerial Ambulance Service Stars (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service), died Wednesday at the age of 77 at Foothills Hospice in Okotoks, surrounded by his family.

A emergency medicine giant, Mr. Powell was determined to transform access to urgent medical care.

John happy, CEO current of STARSrecalled the sustainable impact of Greg Powell in the medical sector. He knew how to innovate where others were giving uphe said.

Innumerable people are alive today thanks to his innovative vision and his unwavering tenacity, and that is why we are honored to continue his mission.

In a statement, Linda Powell, his wife, said that the stars was the work and passion for life of his late husband. As soon as I understood his vision of providing advanced medical care and rapid intervention by helicopter, regardless of the place where patients lived, I knew that it would be a remarkable courseshe said.

Its heritage today allows countless people to have a chance that they would not have had otherwise, and it is comforting to know that its impact will continue.

Helicopter rescue visionary

Greg Powell, from Edmonton, studied medicine at the University of British Columbia. During an internship in Saigon, he saw the benefits of helicopter evacuations during the Vietnam War. This experience pushed him to import this model into Canada.

Open in full screen

Initially co -founded in 1985 in Calgary, the charity organization Stars has been able to overcome financial difficulties to expand in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Throughout his career, Mr. Powell was honored by numerous prizes, including Canada Order in 2006.

He also received the Alberta centennial medal in 2005 and the Diamond Jubilee Jubilee medal in Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.

Open in full screen

He also contributed as president of emergency medical services at the Calgary winter Olympic Games in 1988 and at the G8 summit in 2002.