Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: October 25, 2007
• Invested on: December 12, 2008

Patricia O'Connor is a trailblazer in the field of paramedical care and a role model for female entrepreneurs. She began her career as the first nurse and only woman on Ontario's first team of flight paramedics. Seeing a need for this type of service in Canada's North, she went on to become the founder, owner and operator of a medevac service that has been operating there for over 23 years. She also designs and teaches training and survival courses for flight nurses and air medical care providers. During her time in the North, she has been at the forefront of developing and implementing standards and protocols for the health system in Canada's arctic.