Congratulations Dr. J Neil Armstrong
Dr. J Neil (JN) Armstrong, MD’81, Associate Professor Emeritus, inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame
The Department of Anaesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine is pleased to announce that Dr. J Neil (JN) Armstrong, MD’81, Associate Professor Emeritus, has been inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame. Dr. Armstrong had been the head of the department at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) and the Calgary Health Region, now Alberta Health Services (AHS), from 2005 until 2015.
A practicing staff anaesthesiologist, Dr. Armstrong held positions as associate professor within the department and as the Chief Medical Officer and executive vice president of the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) until his retirement in 2022.
Dr. Armstrong has a fascinating and successful career history that integrates medicine and aviation. He joined STARS in 1991 as a helicopter pilot, captain, where he spearheaded the first medical aviation service to carry blood on board and the first flight to deploy an airborne ultrasound. He also managed the implementation of several new medical and aviation technologies and assisted with the expansion of STARS’s rotary-wing operations into Saskatchewan and Manitoba and the provision of medical care services on fixed-wing and ground operations. At the CSM, one of Dr. Armstrong’s main anaesthesia initiatives was to incorporate some of the validated safety processes used in aviation, such as the safe use of drug trays and carts, and checklists for safe surgery or unusual anaesthesia circumstances.
Dr. Armstrong first took on the role of Chief Medical Officer of STARS in 2013, assuming responsibility for the medical care delivered by the organization and for the transport of the critically ill and injured across six bases and three provinces. He currently serves as the Provincial Medical Program Lead of the Anaesthesia Care Team for AHS and is the director of the STARS board.
Dr. Armstrong completed a Bachelor of Science in human physiology at the University of Calgary, a Doctor of Medicine and anaesthesia fellowship at the CSM and postdoctoral studies in obstetrical anaesthesia at the University of British Columbia. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Anaesthesia, in 1991. He has been invited to present on his expertise at several events including the World Congress of Anaesthesia in Montreal, on “A model of anesthesia delivery in northern Canada,” and at the Canadian Conference on Physician Leadership, where he discussed “Purpose, passion and persistence - the makings of the STARS Air Medical Program.”
The president and CEO of STARS, Katherine Emberly, said of Dr. Armstrong’s recent induction, “His contributions, passion and dedication allow us to continue saving lives across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba and provide patients the best care possible on what is likely their worst day.”
Dr. Armstrong will be formally inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame in Toronto on Sept. 14, 2024. Join us in celebrating and congratulating him on this great honour.
Sincerely,
Gary Dobson, MDCM
Head, Department of Anaesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine
Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary