Susan E. Northrup, MD., MPH

Federal Air Surgeon

For distinguished and significant contributions in her role as Federal Air Surgeon, overseeing groundbreaking initiatives which significantly impacted pilot health and safety.

As Federal Air Surgeon, Dr. Northrup created educational outreach programs designed to foster open communication with aviators while prioritizing the management of chronic disease and mental health issues. Her proactive approach has contributed toward keeping healthy pilots in the air, ensuring both their well-being and continued aviation industry safety. Dr. Northrup has worked tirelessly on behalf of pilots diagnosed with mental illness to destigmatize the diagnoses, facilitate early access to treatment and return them to the cockpit as soon as it is safe to do so.

Dr. Northrup’s accomplishments and expertise extend well beyond her role as Federal Air Surgeon. Her board certifications in aerospace medicine and occupational medicine have enabled her to conduct research and author publications on critical issues, notably the impact of sleep aids on pilots, cabin air quality, and bioterrorism, thereby shaping industry standards and global aviation safety. She has made significant contributions to international civil aviation safety through her participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Aviation Recovery Task Force, where she played a crucial role in developing practical guidance for governments and industry operators during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership in developing the ICAO COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Manual proved vital in educating the international aviation community and establishing effective risk mitigation strategies for the safe resumption of international civil aviation operations.

The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation is pleased to recognize Dr. Susan Northrup for her significant contributions to the improvement of aviation safety in the field of aerospace medicine.