NBAA Congratulates Aero Medicine Pioneer and 2025 Wright Brothers Trophy Recipient Joan Sullivan Garrett

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) congratulates Joan Sullivan Garrett, a visionary in airborne emergency medical care, on her selection as the 2025 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy recipient from the National Aeronautic Association (NAA).

In 1985, Garrett drew upon her experiences as a critical-care flight nurse and chief medical officer to found MedAire, a provider of aeromedical training and global emergency telemedical services. She served as the company’s CEO until 2006.

“For decades, Joan has combined entrepreneurialism with expertise and empathy to save countless lives and make our entire industry safer and more secure,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.”

Today, MedAire continues to provide real-time medical, critical care and security assistance to thousands of clients, including business aviation flight departments, private and commercial maritime operators, commercial airlines and the federal government.

Garrett’s testimony before Congress in 2001 is widely considered to have prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to require U.S. airlines to carry automated external defibrillators and enhanced emergency medical kits.

She previously served on NBAA’s Board of Directors from 2011-2015 as well as both chair and vice chair of the NBAA Advisory Council. In 2017, NBAA presented her with its Meritorious Service Award, the association’s highest honor.

View NBAA’s video tribute to Joan Sullivan Garrett.

Garrett is also the recipient of the Flight Safety Foundation’s Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award, and she served as vice chair of the foundation’s board of governors. She was inducted to the National Aviation Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

The Wright Brothers Trophy has been presented by NAA in partnership with the Aero Club of Washington since 1948. The trophy, which recognizes a living American for “significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States,” is displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.

The NAA’s 77th Annual Wright Memorial Dinner will be held on Dec. 12, 2025, in Washington, DC.