Dr. Greg Powell, founder of the non-profit air ambulance services STARS, passed away on April 30.
STARS announced on May 1 that Dr. Powell had died at the Foothills Country Hospice surrounded by his family at age 77.
“From the very beginning of his distinguished medical career, Dr. Powell was committed to saving lives. Early on, he recognized too many patients were dying because they couldn’t get the care they needed fast enough and was motivated to change that,” said STARS' current president and CEO, Dr. John Froh.
“All of us at STARS extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Powell's family and loved ones and our thoughts are with them as we share in this profound loss. Countless people are alive today because of his ground-breaking vision and enduring tenacity and for that we are honoured to carry on his mission.”
Dr. Powell founded STARS in 1985, following his experience in the Vietnam War.
It has now carried out over 60,000 missions, operating out of bases in Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg.
In 2021, Dr. Powell was given the highest honour the Province of Alberta can bestow on a citizen when he was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence.