The Power, Grace, and Legacy of Women in EMS
This Women’s month, we pause to celebrate the extraordinary women whose courage, compassion, and determination have helped shape Emergency Medical Services in South Africa. These are the women who answered calls in the dead of night, who led with strength in moments of crisis, and who refused to be held back by limitations or expectations. They are pioneers, mentors, and quiet heroes — each one leaving footprints for others to follow. Their journeys remind us that EMS is not just about saving lives; it’s about the people who give their all so that others can have another tomorrow.
Join ECSSA as we sat down with a few of these extraordinary women and learned a little more about what made them who they are today.
Motto: you’ll witness some take their first breath and others their last — it’s a privilege. Honour it, always.
I’m Tash Lachenicht (formerly Bickerton), a critical care paramedic and medical educator with nearly 20 years experience in EM, from road operations and emergency call centers to HEMS. As Managing Director of EPIC EM, I bring a relentless drive for excellence to everything I do, specialising in innovative and cutting-edge training. Outside of work, I’m a devoted special needs mom and wife to my business partner, balancing family and career with fierce determination. Passionate about innovation and collaboration, I’m committed to pushing the boundaries of EM education — one epic step at a time.
JOURNEY & INSPIRATION
1. What inspired your EMS career?
In the early 2000s, I logged over 1,000 volunteer hours before I even started my BAA course. As a single mom, I couldn’t afford the program, so I sent out a flyer about my passion for EMS to over 200 email addresses. That bold move got me a call from Netcare 911 offering to sponsor me — and it changed my life forever.
2. What does being a woman in EMS mean to you?
It means carrying resilience in every pocket. EMS can be tough, but as a woman you often face challenges that go beyond the job itself. It’s about proving—mostly to yourself—that you belong here and paving the way so the next generation of women feel they do too.
3. Share a defining moment in your career.
On my journey toward becoming an Advanced Life Support paramedic, I made a promise to God: if this was truly my calling, I would honour it by sharing my knowledge and teaching for the rest of my career. Growing EPIC EM and being awarded the Limpopo CPG training tender for over 1,100 providers was a defining moment — it felt like I was fulfilling that promise. I started as a BAA who knew how it felt to be on the receiving end of training. To be able to reignite passion in seasoned providers is a privilege I’ll never forget.
CHALLENGES & TRIUMPHS
4. Biggest challenges faced as a woman in EMS?
Balancing strength with safety. I’ve worked in some of the toughest environments in South Africa (Jhb CBD and Alexandra) — where being a woman could be both a vulnerability and an advantage. There were shifts where I felt both empowered and powerless within the same hour.
5. One achievement you’re most proud of?
Building EPIC EM with my husband, Kaleb, into a nationally recognised training provider, and creating learning environments that are safe, empowering, and free of the punitive culture that sometimes exists in EMS education.
EMPOWERMENT & ADVICE
6. Advice for women entering EMS?
Know your stuff, own your space, and don’t be afraid to run toward the chaos, but also know when to step back. Respect is earned through competence and consistency.
7. How can EMS better support women?
By creating truly safe workplaces where sexism, harassment, and exclusion aren’t tolerated, and by recognising the value women bring beyond just filling a quota.
8. Strengths women bring to EMS?
We’re multitaskers, communicators and detail-driven operators who often balance empathy with decisive action under pressure.
9. Message for other women this Women’s Month?
You belong here. Your perspective, your skills, and your resilience are exactly what this profession needs. Keep showing up. You’re changing the system just by being in it.
LOOKING AHEAD
10. How should the role of women in EMS evolve?
From being the exception, to being part of the fabric of every team. Being equally represented in leadership, education, and frontline roles.
11. One change to make EMS more inclusive?
Actively mentor, sponsor and promote women into leadership positions, not just invite them to the table, but ensure their voices are heard when they get there.
Motto: I am my only limit!
I am an Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP) with a Doctorate in Emergency Medical Care, proudly the first woman ECP to obtain a PhD in the field. My career spans operational experience in ground emergency medical services and extensive work in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) sector. With over two decades in academia, I have contributed to the growth and development of the profession through teaching, research, and mentorship. I currently serve as Medical Operations Manager at Starlite Aviation, overseeing high-level aeromedical operations in Africa and Europe, and as a Director at Rescue SA, where I play an active role in rescue training and disaster response.
JOURNEY & INSPIRATION
1. What inspired your EMS career?
I was all set to work in the diving industry in the Caribbean when I met Linley Holmes in her paramedic uniform. I was curious, asked her about her work, and she encouraged me to apply to the National Diploma programme at Wits Technikon. I did and cancelled my one-way ticket the same week. That was back in 1996, and I’ve never regretted that decision.
2. What does being a woman in EMS mean to you?
Being a woman in EMS means showing up every day in a workspace where resilience, skill, and compassion are equally critical and demonstrating that these qualities are not defined by gender. It also means being a role model for other women and men entering the field, breaking stereotypes, and earning respect through professionalism, competence, and empathy.
3. Share a defining moment in your career.
The defining moment in my career came 29 years ago when I met Prof Lambert — though back then, he was still Mr Lambert. I can say without hesitation that I would not be the person or Emergency Care Practitioner I am today without his influence. He never allowed me to use being a woman as an excuse to avoid proving what I was truly capable of. That expectation pushed me beyond my comfort zone and shaped me into the resilient, skilled, and determined practitioner I am today which includes being one of a few women to hold a leading role in medical rescue.
CHALLENGES & TRIUMPHS
4. Biggest challenges faced as a woman in EMS?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced in EMS has been discouraging other women from expecting special treatment simply because they are women. When I graduated as a Paramedic in 1998, I was the first female assigned to the fire station where I was placed, and I had no option but to integrate seamlessly into the team. I have never experienced a situation where a man made me feel as though I did not belong in this profession because I never gave them the chance to think that. My hope is that women entering the profession today will approach it with the same mindset: to focus on their capabilities, earn their place, and simply fit in as part of the team.
5. One achievement you’re most proud of?
I could never narrow my pride to a single achievement, because the true highlight of my career has been the people. Every student I’ve had the privilege to teach has left a mark on me, and watching them grow, finding their confidence, their skill, and their place in this remarkable profession has been the most profound reward of all.
EMPOWERMENT & ADVICE
6. Advice for women entering EMS?
Don’t approach this profession with the mindset that you need to prove yourself. Approach it with the mindset that you deserve to be here and commit to working hard. Your patients deserve the best version of you every single day, both in terms of your physical abilities and your mental strength and knowledge.
7. How can EMS better support women?
In my view, genuine equality is achieved when women embrace their capabilities fully, without expecting special treatment or additional support beyond what their male colleagues receive.
8. Strengths women bring to EMS?
Women often bring a heightened sense of compassion and the ability to integrate physical, psychological, and social factors into patient care, leading to a more holistic treatment approach. In the context of medical rescue, women, when physically prepared can make exceptional rescuers.
9. Message for other women this Women’s Month?
Live with no regrets!
LOOKING AHEAD
10. How should the role of women in EMS evolve?
The role of women in EMS should evolve toward full integration and equal opportunity, emphasizing capability, skill, and professionalism over gender. In my view, the EMS has embraced women as equals in the profession. It is time for women to stop expecting promotions or positions based on their gender and focus instead on earning them through their capabilities. I would never want to be promoted or appointed to a role just because I am a woman; I want to know that I earned the position through merit and hard work.
11. One change to make EMS more inclusive?
Women need to adopt the mindset that EMS is inclusive and that their contributions are valued equally.
Motto: Always do my best, reflect and push myself to learn and try new things.
I am Tanya van Tonder, an emergency care practitioner and passionate health sciences educator. I am married to Bernard van Tonder and the mother of three beautiful, talented children. I have been in the industry since 2003, starting as a BAA in the South African Military Health Services. I completed the N-Dip EMC in 2006 and the B-Tech EMC part-time in 2013. I have a passion for education and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in 2015 and a Master’s Degree in Health Sciences Education in 2020.
JOURNEY & INSPIRATION
1. What inspired your EMS career?
As a young girl, I witnessed a neighbour’s dad being taken away in an ambulance, and I thought that would be interesting to do. As you grow older and become a teenager, your interests change, and I wanted to become a veterinarian or radiographer. I joined the South African Military Health Services after school, and my interest in the Emergency Medical Care field was kindled there.
2. What does being a woman in EMS mean to you?
Being able to use the caring and organised side of being a woman in patient care. Women pay attention to detail, which adds to patient care by focusing on the smaller things and considering everything involved. EMS has shown me that women are far more capable than the world I grew up in ever made them out to be.
3. Share a defining moment in your career.
Becoming a National Diploma graduate from the University of Johannesburg and the guidance I received from the institution made me the ECP and educator that I am today. I overcame many fears and challenges and achieved much more than I thought I was capable of. I became stronger, more resilient, and ambitious.
CHALLENGES & TRIUMPHS
4. Biggest challenges faced as a woman in EMS?
Women are driven and want to excel, especially those in EMS. I would say balancing life with the demands and expectations of being in EMS. You are still a mother, friend, daughter, colleague, and/or manager and strive to perform at the same level as and even higher than any other EMS provider. Women are also doing this in a system that was previously male-dominated and sometimes face limited understanding of these differences.
5. One achievement you’re most proud of?
This is a very difficult question. Thinking about it, there are a few. To name one, I am proud of achieving a Master’s Degree in Health Sciences Education while being a mother of three children—one of whom was born during my studies—and being employed full-time.
EMPOWERMENT & ADVICE
6. Advice for women entering EMS?
Be driven to excel. There will be challenges but persevere—the rewards of this industry will be worth it. Stand tall and don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do something.
7. How can EMS better support women?
I think there is still room for growth in terms of equal opportunities for women in EMS. There are still salary disparities and some policies that do not support women. However, I have seen many positive changes in the last 20 years.
8. Strengths women bring to EMS?
Women are resilient and adaptable, balancing demanding work with personal and family life while managing the physical, emotional, and mental challenges of the profession. Women bring empathy and compassion, especially in sensitive situations, and they advocate for issues affecting the female gender within the EMS sphere. Women in leadership contribute to inclusive policy-making and create supportive workplace environments.
9. Message for other women this Women’s Month?
Be the best YOU that YOU can be! (Christine Rice). Do not let anyone get you down or steer you off your path. Continuously reflect and look for areas where you excel and for improvement.
LOOKING AHEAD
10. How should the role of women in EMS evolve?
Educate communities and the public about EMS and the important role women play in it. There has been progress within EMS, and women are included in the operational roles. However, more work is needed to increase women’s representation and involvement in leadership roles—these should be actively encouraged. Use the strengths women bring to drive growth, and involve women in innovative roles within organisations.
11. One change to make EMS more inclusive?
I would say including more women in leadership will change the system—policies and systems will become more inclusive.
Motto: Everything I do is by God’s Grace and for His purpose
I am Ayesha Allies-Jeena, 35 years old. I grew up in Mitchell’s Plain most of my childhood, then moved to Hanover Park for my adolescent years. I completed my Basic Ambulance assistant course in 2009 while staying with family in Maitland. I then moved to stay in Steenberg whilst completing my studies at CPUT as an Emergency Care Technician then Emergency Care Practitioner and am now married and grateful to be living in the beautiful Somerset west. I love spending time with my husband, our families especially our siblings, i am surrounded by supportive family and friends and am grateful to be surrounded by amazing women in my life. I have been in EMS for the past 17years, 11 of which has been dedicated to aeromedicine. I am privileged to be an External Load Operator, that means operating a helicopter winch and sling. I have a passion for community based education on first responder/emergency training. I have the benefit of presenting first aid and basic life support courses to persons from all walks of life, kindergarten educators to medical doctors alike. I consider myself an extrovert and enjoy networking with people who are motivated to grow, improve themselves and empower others.
JOURNEY & INSPIRATION
1. What inspired your EMS career?
I would say i developed a passion to help people while still in secondary school, and ambulances looked really cool.
2. What does being a woman in EMS mean to you?
It means being resilient without loosing that gentle demeanor of being a woman. Being assertive and knowing your strengths that compliments the job.
3. Share a defining moment in your career.
I think a defining moment for me is seeing the difference made in the life of one patient when the odds seemed uncertain, where they have sustained significant injury and made a full recovery in spite of the circumstances.
CHALLENGES & TRIUMPHS
4. Biggest challenges faced as a woman in EMS?
Personally, i have encountered being overlooked by hospital personnel or other medics when i work with a male irrespective of being the senior but just the stigma of ‘the male is probably in charge’. It is infrequent for me but is still evident.
5. One achievement you’re most proud of?
I am most proud of taking the initiative to upskill myself and having the opportunity as one of few females to be involved in the elite environment of helicopter rescue in South Africa.
EMPOWERMENT & ADVICE
6. Advice for women entering EMS?
This job is a passion, the only way you know that is when it doesn’t matter who the patient is and in what environment you work, you will maintain the humility and compassion to do your job to the best of your ability. Some lessons will be tough but it is part of your growth.
7. How can EMS better support women?
I feel, there is still not enough women representatives in each division in EMS across all organisations. There is also a stigma of women having titles because of their gender and not work capabilities or ethics. EMS, through education and exposure to what a certain woman can do when in their job is one way to demonstrate that women also belong in this industry. Women are still a vulnerable population and are exposed to harassment in their workplace direct or indirectly from colleagues or patients. One way to support women could be through counseling and mental wellness checks.
8. Strengths women bring to EMS?
Women have been designed to be nurturers and all the women I have encountered in EMS carries a sense of compassion that appears effortless and natural, to me that is a great strength.
9. Message for other women this Women’s Month?
I saw a quote that says ‘a glowing woman can help other women glow and still be lit’. My message would be to uplift one another, build a community of kindness and respect.
LOOKING AHEAD
10. How should the role of women in EMS evolve?
Women play an integral role alongside men to perform EMS tasks that can be taxing and challenging. I would say positive evolving is to have women who want to join certain groups within EMS be trained up well and chosen based on capability not just to balance statistics.
11. One change to make EMS more inclusive?
To increase in diversity and being sensitive to cultural differences. Working in EMS already collaborates persons from various socioeconomic backgrounds, thereby if safe platforms can be created that would allow one the ability to speak up when being discriminated without bias would be a game changer.
Motto: Always tell those that you love, that you love them. You never know when it is the last time.
Hi! I am Helen. I am an ECP and I work as a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. I am passionate about emergency medical care and teaching. My special interests are time sensitive emergencies such as MI and stroke, obstetric emergencies and simulation learning.
JOURNEY & INSPIRATION
1.What inspired your EMS career?
I did a first aid course when I was 16 and during the course the instructor told me that I have an aptitude for this work. I then heard Dr Glen Staples speak at an event about EMS work when I was in Matric. It immediately caught my attention after the talk, and so I started to do volunteer shifts with Netcare in Matric.
2.What does being a woman in EMS mean to you?
I feel it’s an opportunity to bring an extra caring approach to any scene.
3. Share a defining moment in your career.
When I was asked to apply at the University of Johannesburg as a clinical learning facilitator, my whole career trajectory shifted towards academia.
CHALLENGES & TRIUMPHS
4.Biggest challenges faced as a woman in EMS?
Probably the vulnerability associated with being a woman alone on a response car, when one arrives first on scene in a dangerous area.
5. One achievement you’re most proud of?
I was very pleased with myself when I completed my Master’s degree.
EMPOWERMENT & ADVICE
6. Advice for women entering EMS?
Find a good mentor. My mentors helped me very much with my professional development.
7. How can EMS better support women?
I think we need to focus on building each other up, instead of breaking people down.
8. Strengths women bring to EMS?
I think that women are likely to use a holistic approach when caring for a patient, being considerate of a patient’s emotional well-being as well as their physical well-being.
9. Message for other women this Women’s Month?
Your strength in the EMS lies in the comfort and kindness that you can you bring to every patient in your care.
LOOKING AHEAD
10. How should the role of women in EMS evolve?
I think in time we will see more women in management roles than before. It is already happening, but as more women join the EMS, more will move into management positions.
11. One change to make EMS more inclusive?
I think we are already headed there. When I was in my final year on the ECP course we were only three ladies in the class. Currently the UJ third and fourth year classes have many female students. The industry is not nearly as male dominated now as it was when I started in the EMS.
Just because we know how much any person in the EMS lives for the adrenaline and pressure, we decided to have some fun and see how these dynamics perform under pressure. A little quick fire harmed nobody…
LOUD AND PROUD: CONVERSATION WALL
From the desk of a manager, out of the seat of an ambulance, out of the classroom of the lecturer.
A penny for their thoughts-some bold and impactful statements on what it means being a woman in South African EMS.
To me, being a woman in EMS means stepping into a space where skill, resilience, and teamwork matter far more than stereotypes. It’s about being able to hold your own in high-pressure moments, bringing empathy as well as expertise, and knowing that the value you add comes from who you are and how you work.
I have been so inspired by the women I’ve worked with in EMS over the last few months – seeing the support we can provide to each other and how we rise to the challenges of a sometimes very difficult system without compromising our personalities or values.
My advice: Trust yourself and your worth. Your voice, your skills, and your perspective are needed and appreciated. Seek out allies, keep learning, build relationships with the people who inspire you, and never underestimate the strength you bring to the team – it can be what changes the game for a patient, or for a colleague on a tough day.
~ Dr Pat Leighton, Emergency Registrar Western Cape
Being a woman in EMS in South Africa has been tough, but it also has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned to harness my voice and assert myself, and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. By being strong, courageous, and confident, you can earn respect from others. Yes, we might have to work harder to earn the respect than most men, but the feeling when you do, is nothing short of amazing.
~ Catia Andersen, Operational ECP ER24
I was surprised when asked to write about being a woman in this industry, because honestly, I’ve never separated myself from my male colleagues. I see everyone simply as human, working together with the same goal: helping people. That’s why I love what I do.
Being a woman in this field has its unique advantages. A softer voice when speaking to someone troubled, a gentle touch when holding a child’s hand, or allowing yourself to feel emotion—it’s okay to be sad after losing a patient. Processing these moments makes you human, and it makes you a better clinician.
To other women in the industry: trust your skills and embrace your softer side. Support your peers and remember your perspective is a strength. You belong here, and every day you make a difference.
~ Micaela Beukes, HEMS ECP: Rocket HEMS
It’s awesome, challenging but very rewarding. Our womanly instincts kick in a lot and the need and passion to help others makes the field all the more special to me as a woman. There are definitely challenges and discrimination you will receive in the field but the key is to hold your head up high and stand your ground.
My advice for Woman out there who would like to be in this field is to stay strong both physically and emotionally. You are way more capable that you know it.
~ Rea Molefe, BAA ER24
Being a woman in the ems allows us to bring a more feminine touch, in the form of empathy, comfort and softness to patient treatment. But being a woman in the ems we are also forced to be stronger than males in the form of resilience and ambition. Trying to get into the ems and then be respected as a practitioner by our male counterparts takes a lot of hard work and resilience that pushes your limits further than you thought was possible. In the end you come out stronger and more confident as a woman and as a practitioner. In the end there is a sense of accomplishment and pride that no one can take away from you. And having these skills and confidence and empathy makes you a better practitioner for your patients.
I am happy to say that in my years of experience in the ems industry I have noted a positive change towards females in the ems. Females are becoming more prevalent as practitioners as well as in higher positions that used to be male dominated. I have also noticed that the males in our industry have started to recognise the value that females bring into the industry despite their size, or emotional vulnerability amongst other unique feminine traits.
Despite the unique challenges I have faced as a woman, I am proud to be a woman in the ems and wouldn’t trade my profession for anything else.
~ Raeesah Boomgaard, ECP – Branch Manager
Woman in Emergency Medical Services face unique challenges, especially working in townships areas we community lacking of knowledge on how EMS operate.we end up in situations where it’s difficult to defend ourselves on duty.
By community and Networking, woman in EMS can build confidence and overcome challenges and thrives in our careers.
~ Glacious, BAA Gauteng EMS
For me, it’s about showing up for people in their most vulnerable moments, being the steady voice in chaos, and knowing that what I do can make the difference between fear and hope. It’s also about breaking barriers, challenging assumptions, and showing that women not only belong here — we excel here.
Believe in your capability. Trust your training, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to take up space. Your presence, your perspective, and your voice are needed — and they can change the way this industry works for the better.
~ Jessica Vorster, Deputy HOD: Emergency Call Centre Critical Care Operations, Netcare 911
Being a black woman in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) is a constant balance between proving my competence and defending my dignity. I am small in stature, but my presence is not — I am outspoken and unafraid to challenge what I believe is wrong, especially when it comes to patient care. Unfortunately, that confidence is often misread as aggression, particularly by men.
I am often misunderstood as controlling, when in reality I simply value order and high standards — qualities that, in men, are praised as leadership. The double standard is exhausting, but I refuse to shrink myself to fit into anyone’s comfort zone.
~ Nomonde Hlope, HEMS ECP-Rocket
Being a woman in EMS means standing strong in spaces that often test your resilience, skill, and compassion. It’s about bringing empathy into high-pressure moments and proving that capability is not defined by gender, but by commitment to the people you serve.
Believe in your competence and never let anyone else set your limits. Surround yourself with those who lift you higher, and keep learning—because knowledge is your strongest tool.
~ Debbie Groom, ECP and Research Supervisor
One day I was told by a colleague that Women should not be allowed in the EMS because we are too emotional. This hit a cord with me because EMS saved my life after a personal incident. Why is feeling so deeply a stumbling block or negative attribute as a woman in EMS?. This naturally female attribute is where I feel I draw my strength from. As women we are called in during peoples worst moments. If I cannot connect on an emotional level, how can I give my patients the best possible care
‘Advice for future and current Woman in EMS This job is not easy. Hold onto your humanity. You are human. Accept that your feelings are valid and in everything you are exposed to, Always remind yourself, Your strengths may often come from the places you think are your weaknesses. A Quote from one of my favourite songs: “Sometimes darkness can show you the light” – The Light, Disturbed.
~ Samantha Kayser, ANT Paramedic
As we close this special Women’s Month edition, we are reminded that the heartbeat of EMS is carried by the dedication, resilience, and compassion of those who serve — and the women in our ranks continue to prove that excellence knows no gender.
Their stories inspire us to lead with courage, care with empathy, and push the boundaries of what is possible. May we continue to uplift, support, and celebrate each other — not just this month, but every day we put on the uniform and answer the call, step into a classroom or sit behind our desks.