Dr. Greg Powell

Born in Welland, Ontario in 1947, Greg Powell grew up in Devon, Alberta, and completed his education at the University of British Columbia. While on a medical elective in Australia during the Vietnam War, he witnessed the life-saving impact of rapid surgical intervention and helicopter ambulances, which influenced his career path.

Greg specialized in Emergency Medicine and became the Chief of Emergency Medicine at Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Alberta. In the mid-1980s, he recognized the need for improved medical transportation in rural areas and founded the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS). He served as CEO of both STARS and the STARS Foundation until 2012, overseeing their growth and fundraising efforts.

Today, STARS operates from multiple bases in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia, providing critical air ambulance services and coordinating with ground and fixed-wing services. Greg has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of air medicine and emergency transport, and he and his wife Linda continue to support STARS as dedicated volunteers.