It’s a heartfelt “thank you” or “I’d be dead right now if it wasn’t for you guys” that keeps them coming back.

To date, STARS air ambulance has flown 19,000 missions and that is 19,000 people who have said “thank you” to the first responders, pilots and staff who keep STARS helicopters in the air.

“People are coming, regularly, back to the hanger in all three bases and that’s the stuff that makes us keep going,” said Dr. Greg Powell, president and chief executive officer of STARS. “To see these people who were so badly injured, so badly in trouble with their heart attack when we first met them. And a month or two or three or even a year later they are back to say hello and thank you, it just makes everything worthwhile.”

Dr. Greg Powell. CEO of STARS

Powell was at the Okotoks and District Senior’s Centre on March 25 to address rural health care topics in the foothills area.

Speaking to communities across the province gives Powell an opportunity to discuss health care issues with Albertans.

He did not just speak about STARS, but on a variety of topics impacting Albertans.

He said it’s a pleasure and a reward to enlighten people about the warning signs for conditions such as heart attacks.

“If you can help people understand that, you often prevent some very terrible outcomes,” said Powell.

Interacting with Albertans gives Powell a chance to learn what concerns people have around health care as well as their level of understanding regarding emergency care.

“I get a snapshot of what the thought processes are around the delivery of emergency care and that helps me do my job,” said Powell.

Before each engagement, Powell picks one issue from a variety of topics ranging from education to the promptness of air rescue.

“I think the important points to leave with people are: what is a real emergency and what are the opportunities to prevent the long-term consequences of ignoring warning signs?” said Powell.

Francis Jackson-Dover, chair of the Sheep River Health Trust (SRHT), said Powell delivered his speech with a sense of humour and Canada needs more people like him.

“I’m always interested in people who build a better mouse trap and he has certainly done that,” said Jackson-Dover.

Other attendees and trustees from the health trust received Powell’s speech warmly. Jackson-Dover said Powell and his work is the envy of other provinces.

“I don’t think you’ll ever find another Dr. Powell,” said Jackson-Dover.

Powell also sits on the SRHT advisory board.

Powell’s speech was the beginning of a busy few months for SRHT.

On July 22, SRHT will hold its annual Golf 4 Wellness charity tournament at D’Arcy Ranch. The registration deadline is June 18^th.

On May 7, volunteers and staff from the Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre will hold their second annual quilt raffle. The prize is a queen sized quilt and tickets are $2 each or $20 for a booklet.

Last year the draw raised $4,640 for programs such as Baby and Me, TLC and Terrific Toddlers for young families in the foothills area.

rnorthrop@okotoks.greatwest.ca

http://www.stars.ca/bins/index.asp

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