Women in Ambulance

Lisa Vickers

Station Manager Deployments - WSNBM Sector

Time in service: 18 years

Biography:

Lisa commenced with NSW Ambulance in 2004. Undertaking clinical operations, she completed her probationary period in metropolitan NSW and following graduation worked at a number of regional locations before returning to metropolitan operations. During her operations career, Lisa has carried herself commensurate with the highest ideals on NSW Ambulance. This is borne out in the various acknowledgements throughout her personal file, recognition and congratulations from peers, frontline, and senior managers.

Appointed as Station Manager in the deployment’s role, Lisa has demonstrated a natural ability and a commitment to excellence and innovation. She is frequently consulted in relation to proposed changes and is a trusted team member to a number of Associate Directors Clinical Operations and Zone Managers who have worked within the Sector.

Career Highlights:

Lisa has extensive operational experience in both regional and metropolitan operations. She applies initiative at all times to improve systems and governance. 

Lisa developed processes to ensure improved fleet tracking and vehicle checking at a busy metropolitan station, improving availability and service delivery capability. 

Lisa leads the Western Sydney and Blue Nepean Mountains (WSNBM) Sector Deployments team. A high-volume mission-critical role that ensures staff are rostered in accordance with policy, procedures and industrial frameworks. She has been an active participant in various system improvement workstreams. Her attention to detail and governance has seen a number of her reports and processes adopted across other deployment teams 

Lisa is regularly assigned to specific roles within Incident Management Teams (IMTs). Since the 2019 bushfire state of emergency, Lisa has fulfilled the planning role frequently. More recently this role has required her to plan further in advance and to consider a number of difficult scenarios with the aim of ensuring service delivery in the emergency footprint at all times. Achieving this has required a high level of tactical, operational and strategic knowledge and a sound ability to communicate across business units. 

Nicole Micallef

Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP), Extensive Care Paramedic (ECP), ICP/ECP Educator

Time in service: 12 years

Biography:

Nicole joined NSW Ambulance through the vocational pathway and has worked in Western Sydney and South Western Sydney for the past 12 years. She is an accomplished ICP and ECP and a passionate educator for both the ICP and ECP courses. Nicole currently juggles full-time employment, working on the road and educating showing a true commitment to the profession of Paramedicine.

Career Highlights:

Nicole is immensely proud of her ICP and ECP roles, bringing incredible passion and experience to both specialisations. She has worked as a single responder and been a forward commander at multiple significant incidents throughout her career. Her whole career has been a highlight to anyone who has the pleasure of meeting or working with her. 

Nicole champions her colleagues in every interaction. She empowers those around her to be the best version of herself. She inspired others to apply for ICP and supported them throughout the process. She empowers the women around her, teaching us to believe in ourselves and work hard for what we want. She has developed the practice of countless colleagues by teaching them how to assist with intubation at the beginning of each shift. She shows kindness, compassion, and integrity in all interactions with patients and colleagues. She is admired by all in the Western Sydney area for her intelligence and warmth. She is especially admired by the female employees and is considered by many of us to be a role model for the kind of ICP/paramedic we would like to be. 

Linda Reichstadter

Aeromedical Operations Officer, Aeromedical Control Centre

Time in service: 32 Years

Biography:

Linda has worked in NSW Ambulance since 1990, with over 22 years specialising in Aeromedical Operations. She has qualifications and training as a Paramedic and a Registered Nurse, as well as the Rapid Launch Trauma Coordinator within the specialty of the Aeromedical Control Centre. These skills and knowledge, along with her personal traits of being a genuinely nice and patient person, have benefited many through her on-the-job training and time as Paramedic Educator. Linda also provides specialised advice on work, health and safety to the State Emergency Operations Centre as required. Linda has been a role model to both female and male co-workers as a diligent and respected colleague with a consistently positive work ethic and outlook on life in general in spite of personal challenges.

Career Highlights:

Aeromedical, Rapid Launch Trauma Coordination, Offshore Shipping Rescue Coordination, State Emergency Operations Centre and Incident Management Teams. Linda has also participated in multi-agency training activities that promote inter organisation preparedness for potential mass events. 

Linda is versatile with her roster as an educator, ensuring priority is on the receipt of quality time and optimal education. This not only provides for the best possible training outcomes but promotes and emulates the behaviours and attitudes to be continued. 

Kirsty England

Paramedic Educator, Clinical Systems

Time in service: 24 years

Biography:

Kirsty succeeded in the many roles she has held, whether this be education, validation, curriculum, and quality committees, to name a few. Kirsty is currently responsible for the innovation and facilitation of the updated 2022 Vocational Induction, namely, the Post Employment Tertiary Pathway. In October 2022, Kirsty was nominated by her peers and recognised as Employee of the Month for NSW Ambulance. She always looks for opportunities to improve and enhance processes, experiences, and outcomes. Kirsty has been instrumental in changing student experience and ensuring best patient practices. Her unique talents, enthusiasm, commitment, professionalism, and desire to excel have also seen her be part of many teams within and outside of NSW Ambulance Education.

Career Highlights:

Kirsty is an integral part of the Education Development and Support (EDAS) team which oversees, develops and implements NSW Ambulance online courses and learning management system (LMS) for education. This supports the education requirements of all paramedics across the state. 

In her role as Paramedic Educator Clinical Volunteer Unit, she oversaw the management, education and wellbeing of 350 clinical volunteers, working at 58 locations across the state. The NSW Ambulance clinical volunteer workforce is an integral part of our service delivery model, as it minimises the time between calling for help and receiving initial care from clinically skilled responders, until paramedics arrive. This improves patient outcomes in geographically dispersed communities. 

Kirsty’s most recent achievement was the success of the Post Employment Tertiary Pathway (PETP), an updated vocational pathway that was established in collaboration with NSW universities, and allows applicants with no prior health experience to be in paid employment with NSW Ambulance while completing an approved degree in paramedicine. From the development of the course program, lesson plans, curriculum, exams, practicum reports, to the ongoing daily facilitation of sessions, as lead coordinator, Kirsty continues to be the driver of its success. 

Abir Derbas

Senior Manager Recruitment, People & Culture

Time in service: 8 years

Biography:

Abir joined NSW Ambulance in January 2015 as Manager Recruitment. She came with a wealth of knowledge from large government agencies including RailCorp, Bankstown City Council, NSW Trains and the Health, Education and Training Institute. She has extensive experience in leading and managing talent, development, human resources and change strategies. Abir has been the driving force behind surge recruitment campaigns from 2018 to meet the unprecedented operational demands and workforce planning targets at NSW Ambulance.

Career Highlights:

Abir leads change with her head and her heart. She always finds ways to improve processes and outcomes to meet the increasing and ever-changing demands of NSW Ambulance. 

Abir led a team of dedicated recruitment professionals to undertake scaled up recruitment campaigns at short notice, including the Statewide Workforce Enhancement Program (SWEP) that welcomed 750 new paramedics and call takers from 2018, and the NSW Ambulance Strategic Workforce and Infrastructure Team (SWIFT) that will see 2,128 new staff members joining the organisation between 2022 and 2025. 

She initiated the implementation of innovative assessment centres that provide an avenue for promotion in frontline leadership roles and identify development needs and success pathways for unsuccessful applicants.  

She developed enhanced pre-employment medical process for paramedic recruitment and implemented testing and selection programs to meet COVID-safe principles. She also supports and enhances indigenous paramedic programs to meet diversity targets for frontline roles.  

Abir was a finalist for Best Recruitment Campaign awarded by the Australian Human Resources Institute in 2020. 

Diana Zimmermann

Acting Director Operational Triage Services

Time in service: 5 years

Biography:

With qualifications in Commerce and Public Health and 17 years of experience in corporate roles, Diana brings unique skills and perspective to her current role as Acting Director Operational Triage Services, leading paramedics and nurses delivering frontline care. Diana came to Ambulance Victoria (AV) five years ago from the Department of Health as a Senior Manager for the implementation of a suite of government commitments to improve ambulance performance. Diana has held appointments as Principal Policy and Strategy Lead and Executive Advisor for Quality and Patient Experience, where her work has been instrumental in embedding Best Care through strategic and operational policy, programs, and initiatives. Diana is passionate about improving care for vulnerable patient cohorts and has worked to align AV with best practice and policy reforms related to family violence, mental health, cultural safety, complex health and social needs and intersectionality.

Career Highlights:

• Lead role in developing and operationalising Ambulance Victoria’s first strategic quality framework - Best Care at AV 
• Project Lead for the multi-award-winning initiative, ‘TelePROMPT’ Ambulance Victoria’s first co-designed approach to providing emergency mental health care 
• Led the design and implementation of AV’s first Paramedic Community Support Coordinator (PCSC) model, to improve health outcomes and emergency response capabilities in rural Victoria  
• Developed and implemented key organisational improvement plans for family violence, cultural safety and equity and mental health, ensuring vulnerable patient cohorts receive tailored care responses 
• Designed and implemented AV’s Best Care mental health response plan to advance access, care and patient experience  
• Participant in the AV Leaders Mentoring Program, recognising current and future contributions to leadership at AV. 

Norieul Kinross

Paramedic Community Support Coordinator

Time in service: 11 years

Biography:

Norieul is a passionate paramedic who develops innovative internal practices that promote and support cultural diversity and inclusion at Ambulance Victoria (AV) and across the Strathbogie region where she is based. Norieul uses research and evidence to continuously learn personally, while also applying her knowledge to improve AV services. She does so particularly in local communities, where she works to deliver local emergency healthcare solutions and collaborates with AV partners to improve health outcomes. Norieul embodies the AV values and sets the benchmark for upholding the Victorian Public Sector standards with responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership and advocating for equal human rights.

Career Highlights:

• Operational representative on Ambulance Victoria’s Diversity & Inclusion Council. 
• 2022 Victorian Multicultural Excellence Emergency Services Award Winner. 
• Project Lead for Ambulance Victoria for the Department of Health funded public intoxication trial site in Shepparton. 
• Coordinated the creation of new information in a variety of languages, in collaboration with PrimaryCare Connect in Greater Shepparton. This information will be available through the local ethnic council, on WhatsApp, PrimaryCare connect and the Ambulance Victoria website, and includes How to call Triple Zero (000), When to call an Ambulance, Accessing translator services through ESTA, and What to expect when paramedics arrive. 

Danielle Saxton

Acting Lead Community & Co-Responder Program

Time in service: 21 years

Biography:

An experienced paramedic of 21 years, Danielle currently leads the development and implementation of state-wide Community and Co-responder programs. Danielle identifies trends and facilitates improvements to improve community response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, supporting the values of best care for all. She has a particular passion for improving access to care in regional communities. Danielle has taken on leadership roles with some of our most important partners, including the Heart Foundation, Country Fire Authority, Emergency Management Victoria and Scope, and is passionate about supporting her colleagues in their careers.

Career Highlights:

• Represented Ambulance Victoria while working together with external partners to support better outcomes for patients and communities. 
• Continues to lead an Accessible Communications project in conjunction with Scope Australia. 
• Led programs to support increased survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and heard the success stories of lives saved as a direct result of that work. 
• Worked alongside amazing and passionate people to make a difference to patients’ lives. For example: Years after Danielle resuscitated a toddler, the patient’s family sent photos of him commencing school and a gentleman travelled some distance to give Danielle a hug to recognise he was still able to hug his own children after surviving serious injuries in a road traffic accident that Danielle attended.

Jacinta Rivett

General Counsel

Time in service: 20 years

Biography: 

Jacinta is an experienced legal professional, who has worked with Ambulance Victoria for over 20 years. In the role of General Counsel, Jacinta provides legal guidance across all facets for Ambulance Victoria, ensuring the organisation meets legislative requirements. Her team includes Freedom of Information enquiries, Privacy, Commercial, and Coronial matters. Her approach to leadership sets a standard of high integrity, reliable and trusted advice. Jacinta leads and role models a workplace of ethical decisions, positive workplace inclusion, and commercial excellence.

Career Highlights:

• Joined Rural Ambulance Victoria in 2002, and continuing with Ambulance Victoria since merger in 2008. 
• Currently serves as a Board member with UFS Pharmacies 
• Member of Ballarat Regional AICD Committee 
• Previous member of the Human Research Committee for St John of God and Ballarat Base Hospitals 
• Previous Director of Ballan and District Hospital. 
• Active member of Law Institute of Victoria, supporting range of Committees and local associations. 

Danielle North

Director, Wellbeing & Support Services

Time in service: 20 years

Biography:

Danielle is recognised across Ambulance Victoria (AV) as a leader who sets a standard for high performance, commitment to reliable delivery, and a supportive work environment.  She promotes a work environment that welcomes diversity, role models fairness, and empowers her team to deliver outstanding support to the wider Ambulance Victoria team. An experienced paramedic, Danielle currently leads and manages a team of experienced professionals who provide Wellbeing support to AV team members. Danielle embeds workplace equality, diversity, and inclusion in her work, and identifies opportunities to deliver efficient, effective, and excellent services.

Career Highlights:

• Qualified Advanced Life Support Paramedic 
• Promoted to roles of Team Manager and Operations Manager. 
• Appointed to the inaugural position of Chief of Staff, supporting the Chief Executive 
• Performed as the interim Executive Director Quality & Patient Experience 
• Completed Master of Public Administration, via the Australia and New Zealand School of Government 

Stacie Ramanah

Executive Manager Recruitment

Time in service: 15 years

Biography:

Stacie has been continuously employed in the public service since 2007, commencing as an Administration Officer with Emergency Services, before taking up appointment within Human Resources for the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) in 2008. Over the course of her career with the QAS Stacie has excelled in leading teams and providing advice and support to senior management, executives and staff with a focus on recruitment services. Stacie has successfully led and managed high performing teams being permanently appointed to the role of Executive Manager, Recruitment Services in 2019.

Career Highlights:

 Stacie Ramanah was instrumental in the development and implementation of a Statewide Supervisory Recruitment to improve consistency and equity in the selection process. This recruitment strategy was developed in response to feedback received in staff survey results, staff forums, appeal processes and audits. Stacie Ramanah has led extensive revisions of recruitment and selection processes for operational positions, introducing and maintaining contemporary recruitment practices such as the introduction of testing for emotional intelligence, motivators, assessment centres, etc.

Stacie Ramanah successfully led the team to implement centralised transfer processes across all roles within QAS. This included the development of application and candidate management system, education and communication strategies and documenting business process models.

Stacie Ramanah developed and implemented recruitment and selection processes to support the introduction of alternative study pathways for CCP. The program allows successful officers to undertake the program in a flexible or part-time capacity whilst maintaining the same opportunities and support. 

Conor Fardon

Acting Executive Manager, Fair and Inclusive Practice Unit

Time in service: 7 years

Biography:

Conor is an organisational development specialist with extensive experience in leading and driving workforce strategy and engagement initiatives across Queensland Government and private sector. Conor commenced with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) as a Principal HR Consultant in 2015 and has since played a crucial role in empowering and shaping the QAS’s future workplace. Conor oversees several key organisational engagement and reform initiatives that drive sustainable change through creating fair, diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplaces for all.

Career Highlights:

• Led the Culture Action Plan and District Briefing Sessions to drive local workplace culture change, underpinned by the QAS RESPECT Framework. 
• Led the delivery of the Working for Queensland Survey including establishing the Working for Queensland Engagement Champions to support local reform. 
• Is a Fair and Inclusive Practice Network Officer, providing information and support to employees in relation to fairness, equity and inclusion. 
• Led the QAS Workforce Forums aimed at linking organisational strategy to tangible outcomes, and engaging staff in open discussions to assist in shaping and redesigning the future of QAS. 
• Provides specialist HR advice on a range of topics such as performance, leadership development, policy, equity and diversity, and workforce capability. 

Jacqueline Fitzgerald

Acting Officer-in-Charge

Time in service: 18 years

Biography:

In 2004 Jacqueline commenced with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) at Cairns Communications Centre as a Communications Officer before being permanently appointed as a paramedic in 2007. Jaqueline has worked in diverse locations across the state from Cairns, Edmonton, Kirwan, Home Hill and during this time had the opportunity to act as Officer-in-Charge while working in Home Hill and Nanango. Jaqueline became a permanent Officer-in-Charge in 2019 at Meandarra Ambulance Station and was appointed as Officer-in-Charge at Oakey Ambulance Station in 2019 and is currently undertaking Higher Duties as Acting Officer in Charge, Drayton Ambulance Station.

Career Highlights:

Jaqueline is currently an Indigenous Liaison Officer in the Darling Downs District.  Jacqueline was also recognised in Toowoomba’s 100 most influential women recognised in the Toowoomba Chronicle (9 March 2022).

Rebecca Whiteley

Support Officer-in-Charge

Time in service: 20 years

Biography:

Rebecca commenced with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) in 2002 working in numerous regions across Southeast Queensland and is currently support Officer-in-Charge at Southport station. Rebecca has advocated for continued growth and positive changes within the workplace as a Fair and Inclusive Practice Network Officer. Rebecca is driven to create a workplace that is caring, diverse, inclusive, and respectful.

Career Highlights:

• Accomplished ACPII with 20 years experience 
• Inaugural Fair and Inclusive Practice Network officer 
• Secured supervisory position through highly contested SRC process 
• Seamless integration into existing operational and supervisory environment 
• Higher duties to primary officer in charge during long periods of relief 
• Higher duties to officer in charge at other stations within the Gold Coast region 
• Project officer for Human Resources during COVID 

Chloe Page

Emergency Medical Dispatcher

Time in service: 13 years

Biography:

In 2009 Chloe joined the service and has had opportunities relieving in several roles whilst an Emergency Medical Dispatcher. She undertakes these roles efficiently, always providing and accepting feedback, looking to improve service and innovate and improve areas and systems. Chloe maintains good relationships with all her work mates. She is very passionate about her career and endeavours to achieve high results regardless of what role she is undertaking.

Career Highlights:

Chloe has mentored numerous staff in the call-taking and dispatching area of the Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) role. Chloe has relieved in the roles as an Operations Center Supervisor, Professional Development Officer, Operations Center Manager, and a PACH. PACH is a newer EMD role; this role aligns with our health allies at Cairns Hospital in which has oversight and assists with the coordination of the inter-hospital transfers in conjunction doctors and hospital team leaders. She has made and maintains positive relationships within the service and with our allied services. 

She undertakes these roles efficiently, always providing and accepting feedback and looking to not only improve service, but to innovate and improve areas and systems. She takes these roles on with vigor and good humor. 

Chloe always conducts herself in a professional way and is a pleasure to have as a work colleague and friend. 

Debbie Strachan

Response Time Manager - State Operations Centre

Time in service: 17 years

Biography:

Debbie commenced her career with St John WA as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) in 2005. Since the she has held various positions; EMD Trainer, Ambulance Network Coordinator, Country and Metro Response Time Manager and Duty Manager. She has been in her current role of Response Time Manager since 2011. Debbie is dedicated to being part of a service which ensures a high standard of health care for the community. She is a strong leader, focussing on building a positive working environment for the team. Debbie is passionate about change management, specifically the developmental and transitional change management within the State Operations Centre (SOC). In 2022 Debbie created the SOC Innovation Group to bring team members together who are interested in change and improvement within the SOC.

Career Highlights:

Debbie was chosen to travel to Malaysia in 2015 and take part in a project to help put in place new procedures and processes for the the developing communications centre for St John Malaysia Ambulance Service and the Klang Hospital. 

She participated in the State Operations Centre Innovation group, which aimed to bring a group of people together, who shared interest in SOC processes and showing how much potential the communications centre has for future impact on addressing ambulance response performance. 

Debbie also lists highlights of participating in Main Roads Projects, implementing and conducting staff training for a new phone system, and  

managing the coordination of patient transfers to Fiona Stanley Hospital when it opened, from several other major Perth Hospital locations. 

Natasha Clements

Volunteer Ambulance Officer

Time in service: 17 years

Biography:

In 2006 Natasha needed to complete a First Aid course for work.  Six weeks later she was a Volunteer Ambulance Officer in Northam. Becoming a Volunteer Ambulance Officer was something Natasha says she had always considered doing, however had some reservations.  It wasn’t until the trainer of the first aid course, who was also a Volunteer Ambulance Officer, told Natasha she had a “knack” for it and that she should join, did she then jump in and give it a go. Natasha is an Emergency Medical Technician, Volunteer Development Officer and is involved in the onboarding of all new volunteers to Northam Depot.  She enjoys helping people to get the best experience out of their volunteer role and ensuring they have the skills to provide the best care to their community.

Career Highlights:

Natasha says it is difficult to single out a career highlight, saying that the highs, lows and challenges are all highlights in their own unique way.  Natasha is grateful to have been fortunate to have been mentored by some extraordinary people.  The progression of St John Ambulance services in regional Western Australia and being able to support the implementation of career staff has been something she is very proud to have been a part of.   

Being involved with the Country Youth Ambulance Officer program was a very rewarding experience for Natasha and in 2015 she was admitted into the Order of St John and promoted to Officer in 2019 for her ongoing volunteer commitment to her community, both of which she admits she is very humbled to have received. 

Shu Yin Chia

Events Operations Manager

Time in service: 6 years

Biography:

Shu’s journey began as a volunteer with Event Health Services (EHS) in 2016. She was inspired to volunteer and give back to the community after speaking to a close friend who had also joined.  In 2017, Shu began a career with St John WA as a casual Community Education Officer. In 2019 Shu moved to the EHS Support Services team as a Support Services Officer and then the Acting Divisional Team Leader where she implemented systems and procedures to improve overall volunteers’ experience.  Shu notes gratitude for a learning opportunity in 2021, acting in the role of Event Operations Manager. She was permanently promoted to the role in 2022, overseeing multiple teams that plan and deliver pre-hospital care at events across the Perth Metro area. This ranges from local community events to major sporting events and concerts at venues such as Optus Stadium and HBF Park. In her spare time, Shu volunteers as an Event Ambulance Officer and as a Volunteer Development Officer.

Career Highlights:

• 2022 - Managed the deployment of EHS volunteers as part of the Rapid Ambulance Support Officers initiative to support Metro and Country Ambulance Operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.  
• 2021 - Lead the team in the planning, rostering, and delivery of medical services at the first ever AFL Grand Finals held in Perth at Optus Stadium.   
• 2019/2020 - Wrote the EHS Welcome Induction Program as part of the volunteer onboarding process and lead the project of digitization.  
• 2017 - Youth & Community Engagement Volunteer of the Year Award recipient 

Stella Clack

Business Support Partner/Executive Assistant

Time in service: 6 years

Biography:

Stella is the Executive Assistant and strategic business support partner to the Chief Brand and Reputation Officer. Stella’s career background prior to St John includes various Executive Assistant and Personal Assistant roles for varying levels of management. Since joining St John in 2017, her focus from day one was the contribution to leadership and the whole executive team, in order to add value to the achievements of the organisation. Since joining, Stella has supported the growing Primary Health and Urgent Care business, the Leadership of the IT Stream, the Operational Ambulance Senior Leadership, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Brand and Reputation Officer. Stella’s approach and key aim in any role is to go above and beyond the requirements of the position, ensuring that the team and leadership is able to concentrate fully on their role, with confidence that administrative & support functions are taken care of.

Career Highlights:

During Stella’s 5 years with St John, there have been several highlight moments. Stella played a tangible role in the organisation’s growth in Primary Health and Urgent Care, contributing to its development from the very beginnings. 

She has skilfully and successfully navigated beyond the normal duties of an executive assistant, developing a strategic business partner approach with the leaders she supports and delivers exceptional support to senior leaders in all areas of the business, gaining their trust and that of their teams. 

Stella has built a reputation as a reliable and experienced contributor, resolving organisational issues in high-pressure situations such as the pandemic response and a parliamentary inquiry.  Stella is able to present unbiased advice to the leadership team based on objective opinions and knowledge, either existing or researched and she always makes time to provide personal development advice and mentoring to others. 

Aideen Chandler

Metropolitan Ambulance Paramedic

Time in service: 10 years

Biography:

Aideen has served with St John for 10 years. She was motivated to apply for the ambulance service after a rewarding career in the veterinary industry and the arrival of her two children. Her youngest son unfortunately had significant health issues and she came to appreciate firsthand the impact of effective health in families. Aideen considers ambulance work to be dynamic, demanding, exciting and ever challenging and changing.

Career Highlights:

Aideen highlights an experience providing relief paramedic services in Broome during 2022, noting it was her first regional posting and provided great learning opportunities. The regional experience broadened her scope and gave her an appreciation of the challenges of rural and remote health care.  Aideen also notes that she has experienced many opportunities to have her comfort zone tested and considers this to have been important life development.  

Additionally, Aideen notes the many working relationships and close friendships she has developed over her ten years with St John and credits the support she has both have given and received with being life changing. 

Mardy Hunt

Area Clinical Team Leader

Time in service: 25 years

Biography:

Mardy is an Intensive Care Paramedic and Area Clinical Team Leader (ACTL) for the Metro North D shift team. Mardy demonstrates outstanding compassion for her team, she places value on knowing and understanding them as individuals both inside and outside of work. She is also one of our most experienced leaders within Metropolitan Operations. Mardy has been a mentor and support person for many people, providing them with the feedback, support and encouragement they need to further their careers.

Career Highlights:

Mardy commenced her career with SAAS in 1998, she commenced and successfully completed the Intensive Care Paramedic course shortly after. 

Following this Mardy started her career in leadership, taking on a Team Leader role at Salisbury, which later become the North D shift ACTL role.  

In her time as the North D shift ACTL Mardy has taken on numerous representative roles and made a significant contribution to the Metro North leadership team.  

Sandra Jones

Intensive Care Paramedic

Time in service: 25 years

Biography:

Sandra has been with SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) for 25 years, starting as a Paramedic in metropolitan Adelaide in 1997, before qualifying as an Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP) in 2002. Shortly after gaining her ICP credentials, Sandra moved to Mount Gambier, initially taking on the position of Regional Team Leader in the Lower South-East, before returning on road as part of the Mount Gambier team. Sandra is a strong advocate for patient care and staff development, and most recently has begun mentoring Mount Gambier’s first ICP intern, due to her depth of clinical experience and leadership. She is a highly respected and valued member of both the Mount Gambier team and the Limestone Coast region, and frequently relieves in the Mount Gambier Clinical Team Leader position.

Career Highlights:

Sandra is always first to make new staff feel welcome when they arrive in the Mount Gambier area, often going out of her way to catch up with new staff outside of work to ensure they are comfortable and relaxed when they start working in the region.  

Sandra is also a keen advocate for staff development. In 2019 she was integral in setting up ParaCHATS - a platform for connecting geographically isolated clinicians with high quality clinical education for which she won an “Excellence in Improving Safety and Quality” at the 2020 SAAS Awards Night. 

Additionally, she is mentoring country SA’s first ICP intern, further demonstrating her commitment to staff support and clinical development. 

Angelik van den Berg

Acting Clinical Hub Team Leader

Time in service: 15 years

Biography:

Angelik is a valued and respected member of the Clinical Hub family here SA Ambulance. She embodies the qualities of a dedicated leader and is well-liked and respected by the team. She joined the Clinical Hub as an inaugural Paramedic Telehealth Clinician (PTC) in 2020 having been an experienced and respected Paramedic who was looking for a new challenge. The PTC role required Angelik and her peers to develop new skills and processes to conduct telehealth assessments of patients calling triple zero and where possible connect them with a tailored plan to access care that meets their need. Angelik maintained a patient-centered approach to delivering this care and still takes every opportunity to get patient facing and assist our callers. Once in the PTC role Angelik quickly established herself as a capable leader amongst her peers and relished the opportunity to develop in a leadership role. Her selfless approach to this role sees her frequently put the needs of patients and team-members before her own when striving to solve complex problems and balance conflicting requirements.

Career Highlights:

• Joined SAAS in 2006 as a Paramedic Intern receiving her Paramedic ATP at the start of 2008. 
• Health Network Coordinator 2020 
• In 2020 became one of the first PTCs to commence the Clinical Telephone Assessment function within the Clinical Hub. 
• Became a Peer Support Officer in 2020. 
• Commenced relieving as a Clinical Hub Team Leader in 2021. 

Anna Tripptree

Emergency Medical Dispatcher

Time in service: 19 years

Biography:

Anna is an engaging highly competent staff member who is very patient focused. Anna has the respect of both career team members as well as volunteers throughout the state.

Anna mainly works in region dispatch in the Emergency Operations Centre but also relieves as the Emergency Medical Dispatcher Team Leader. She has the respect of all her team members and is effective is managing a shift. Anna is a friendly team member, and is extremely supportive, especially of volunteers. She is reliable, able to solve problems and manage incidents as they arise.

Career Highlights:

Ability to work in all areas of the Emergency Operations Centre, and qualified as a Patient Transport Officer.

Alexi Tuckey

Communications Team Leader

Time in service: 10 years

Biography:

Alexi Tuckey is the Communications Team Leader in the Communications and Engagement Team. She has recently been appointed to Acting Manager Communications and Strategic Engagement to take effect after the resignation of Natalie Gibson. Alexi has worked for SA Ambulance Service for ten years and is pivotal in communicating with all staff. She’s a problem solver and has an adaptability that rivals none. Recently she juggled managing the opening of the Birdwood Ambulance Station, and then the SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) Presentation Day the following week, all while supporting her staff and approving all communications.

Career Highlights:

Alexi’s highlights are many. She is the master of ceremonies behind the Excellence Awards, the Presentation Day as well as various community events. Her leadership shone through in her time during the COVID-19 pandemic. She switched gears to support the COVID-19 response keeping staff informed through accurate and timely bulletins and contributed as a key member of the IMT. Alexi has formally acted in the team’s management position on several occasions, but she always performs above and beyond.  

Her positive outlook and approach, and willingness to ‘dig in’ to get the job done is admirable and supports SAAS to deliver on time critical outcomes and positive communications.  

She is a problem solver, and innovator, always striving to find solutions to achieve best outcomes. She instils hope for success in her team, and those that she works with and empowers all to accomplish objectives that serve the organisational direction. 

Sue Dudley

Operations Support Assistant

Time in service: 22 years

Biography:

Sue commenced with Ambulance Tasmania 22 years ago, in a part time role within the education unit. She moved into a full-time role several years later when the position opened up and has been assisting in the smooth running of the North West region since. Sue is trustworthy and has been considered the linchpin or glue that keeps the region together. She is adaptable, having moved offices, finding ways to continue working through covid and training new and acting Regional Managers and Assistant Directors.

Career Highlights:

• Ensuring that all staff are paid on time and correctly! Sue inducts new staff to all of Ambulance Tasmania’s administration needs and supports current staff to fill forms in correctly. She assists in keeping vehicles on road, invoices paid and has a strong working knowledge of all ATs work units. Part of this includes organising the Assistant Directors, of which the North West region has had many in the past 5 years. She has been integral in developing systems and processes that ensure the publicly unseen side of Ambulance runs smoothly. 
• Sue is a wealth of knowledge for names, phone numbers and history she is the first port of call.  
• She does all of this with a sense of humour and remains very loyal to her colleagues and managers. 

Emma Blight

Safety and Quality Officer

Time in service: 7 years

Biography:

Emma has been an invaluable, respected female leader within the communications centre. She has worked in a number of different roles from call taker, dispatcher, Acting Operations manager and most recently Safety and Quality Officer. Emma is passionate about our people at Ambulance Tasmania and delivering a high standard within the communications centre, creating multiple improvement initiatives to improve service delivery. Emma brings a positive charisma to the communications centre, providing positively with her peers in the skills and call taking they delivery to the community.

Career Highlights:

• Call Taker  
• Team Leader  
• Quality Assurance Officer 
• Subject Matter Expert, TasGRN 
• Acting Operations Manager, Communications Centre  
• Safety and Quality Officer 

Rebecca Dudman

Paramedic

Time in service: 20 years

Biography:

Bec has been employed with Ambulance Tasmania for many years. She has been Diversity Officer for at least 12 years and was one of the first Peer Support Officers in Ambulance Tasmania. Bec created a gallery in Northern region to show case staffs creative side and it brings joy to a busy workplace. Bec created a peer support room in North where staff can go and chill out and re-group. She has spent many unpaid hours creating both spaces and champions equality and well-being in the workplace.  

Career Highlights:

Bec has been Diversity Officer for many years and one of the first Peer Support Officers with Ambulance Tasmania.  

Leanne Hardie

Intensive Care Paramedic/Extended Care Paramedic

Time in service: 31 years

Biography:

Leanne began as a cadet in Queensland Ambulance in 1991, worked in Sydney for over two years as well as Cairns before joining ACT Ambulance. When she started Ambulance was a male dominated industry and a particularly challenging environment for women, however she persevered to become a multiskilled paramedic. As an Extended Care Paramedic, she has worked to promote innovative growth within palliative and person-centred care, by bridging the gap between various community services. Leanne completed a nursing degree and is now doing post graduate studies in Aged Care.

Career Highlights:

• 31 years of service 
• Ambulance Paramedic, Intensive Care Paramedic, Extended Care Paramedic 
• PACER Paramedic  
• Communications Centre Clinician  
• Registered nurse  
• One of the first two Extended Care Paramedics in the ACT, which has prompted innovative movement in bridging the gap within the clinical practice of person-centered and palliative care. Working to keep people happy at home when they otherwise would have had to go to hospital. 
• Post graduate studies in Care of the Aged  
• Suggesting and Implementing Australia’s first Dementia Friendly Ambulance (evidence based from current post grad studies) 

Samantha Carmichael

Intensive Care Paramedic

Time in service: 11 years

Biography:

Samantha is an Intensive Care Paramedic working for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Ambulance Service. Sam has been working as a Paramedic in the ACT for the past 11 years and is an exceptional clinician that is highly respected amongst all her peers and colleagues. Sam began her Ambulance career working as an Ambulance Paramedic, progressing to Intensive Care Paramedic, and will soon be commencing in a new role as an Intensive Care Flight Paramedic in the ACT. Throughout her career so far, Sam has dedicated a significant amount of time educating her colleagues working as a Training and Development officer. She has been specifically assisting Graduate Intern Paramedics to progress throughout their Graduate Programs, ultimately supporting them in passing their Independent Authority to Practice qualification and continuing to assist and educate them in their ongoing practice and Ambulance careers.

Career Highlights:

Sam began her clinical career working as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department, transitioning to the ACT Ambulance Service and starting her pre-hospital career as an Ambulance Paramedic. Sam progressed her career undertaking the Intensive Care Paramedic training program and gaining her Authority to Practice as an Intensive Care Paramedic.  

Throughout this period Sam has worked as a Training and Development Officer, supervising, assisting and educating her colleagues as they progress through their respective training programs and final exams.  

Sam has worked in a clinical educator role, assisting with course delivery and return to work programs for staff returning from extended leave, assisting them in building their confidence and competence.  

Sam will shortly commence her new role as an Intensive Care Flight Paramedic in the ACT, continuing to provide exceptional care to patients within the ACT community and surrounds. 

Alice Crooman

Paramedic

Time in service: 19 years

Biography:

Alice has been employed by St John NT for over 18 years. Her ambulance journey started as a St John cadet, in 2004 she became a Communications Operator within the Emergency Communication Centre and then trained and transitioned to her career as a paramedic in 2006. Alice works hard to ensure that all patients receive a high-level of care and compassion. Ensuring that they are comfortable, understand the treatment they are receiving and that their dignity is upheld. She actively involves herself in mentoring new staff and selflessly shares her knowledge and experience. Alice can often be found explaining clinical practice and procedures to new interns, running a series of experiments and ensuring that people actually understand how things work, not just the theory of the application. She has also taken a lead role in driver training, taking new recruits through the current handling of an ambulance and how to drive to Territory conditions. She genuinely lives and breathes her job - she leads by example and treats everyone equally with respect and care.

Career Highlights:

• Finalist in the 2021 St John NT Excellence Awards for northern paramedic. 
• Supporting community events with medical support, including Variety and a number of major events in the Northern Territory. 

• Working in remote stations including Nhulunbuy and Katherine. 

Amy McCaffrey

Paramedic

Time in service: 6 year

Biography:

Amy joined St John NT as a graduate in 2017 and is based in Alice Springs. She has developed her professional skills and a strong understanding of community needs in an environment that presents many paramedicine challenges and opportunities. She demonstrates great compassion and empathy towards all patients and goes out of her way to make sure they feel heard and understood, particularly when English is a second language. Amy created the online platform Outback Responders to provide support and knowledge for paramedics working in regional and remote locations. She is a dedicated mentor to intern paramedics. She is professional, caring and intelligent, and assists with workplace training and development to ensure that interns experience a positive graduate year, helping them to become excellent paramedics themselves.

Career highlights: 

• Founder of Outback Responders  
• 2019 recipient of the St John NT Southern Region Paramedic of the Year Award 
• Previously selected for Women in Ambulance in 2021  

• Amy is a St John NT Peer Support Officer, Mentor and relief clinic service officer. 

Kylie Killalea

Area Manager - Katherine

Time in service: 16 years

Biography:

Being a strong leader, and a capable paramedic is only a small part of why Kylie is such an asset to both St John NT, and the paramedicine profession in general. After a long career (beginning in 2007) as a frontline paramedic within the Northern Territory, Kylie moved into supporting the Emergency Communication Centre as a manager, supporting the functions of ambulance service delivery from a different perspective. Kylie has now moved into an Area Manager role, supporting the Katherine area – two ambulance crews covering an isolated part of the NT. Kylie has made excellent relationships within the community, and these relationships have been invaluable as the healthcare system is strained on a constant basis. Kylie has also moved to support service delivery in other areas – including travelling to Nhulunbuy for an extended period to support operations as a manager. Due to her strong teambuilding and strengths-based leadership approach, there were competent and confident others ready to assume Kylie’s substantive role while she was away – highlighting the positive impact Kylie has. 

Career Highlights:

Kylie started with St John NT in 2007, and has held multiple roles within the organisation, from frontline Paramedic, Communications Centre Supervisor, Area Manager of Nhulunbuy, and now Area Manager Katherine. Kylie has always bought enthusiasm to whatever role she has been in and has consistently advocated for her staff and for those around her. 

Lana Harman

Emergency Medical Dispatcher

Time in service: 5 years

Biography:

Lana joined St John NT in 2018 as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), over the past five years she has demonstrated exceptional professional growth. In the last 12 months, Lana has developed her leadership and decision-making skills to become a confident and supportive leader. Throughout her career, Lana has demonstrated a keen interest in continuous improvement and developing others through mentoring. Lana has lost count of the amount of EMD Trainees she has assisted in her time with St John NT, all of whom speak highly of Lana’s approach to her duties and their learning. To further develop her skills and knowledge, Lana has also gained experience and qualification in quality assurance and is one of the first to offer her assistance in supporting the training team in the development of materials and reviewing calls to monitor centre compliance. 

Career Highlights: 

• Training in quality assurance (EMD-Q)  
• Completing her supervisory mentorship, providing support and mentoring for junior call takers and dispatchers.  
• Taking on leadership roles within the team, including a limited tenure as a supervisor 
• Providing support to EMD Training Team  
• 2019 Emergency Medical Dispatcher of the year  

• Delivery of a baby over the phone 

Sabrina Mason

Human Resources Officer

Time in service: 9 years

Biography:

Sabrina joined St John NT in 2014 and has had the unique opportunity of working in both People and Culture and the Emergency Communication Centre (ECC). As a Human Resources Officer, Sabrina is often the first-person new recruits meet on their career journey with St John NT, taking candidates through the recruitment process and, once onboard, induction into the organisation. During the NT’s response to COVID-19, work for the recruitment team was significantly increased as employment of new recruits was accelerated to meet the increased demand in work and to prepare the workforce for a potential surge in cases due to the pandemic. In 2021, Sabrina took a 12-month placement within the ECC as a Service Desk Operator (SDO) where she was responsible for managing communication between remote medical clinics and District Medical Officers, providing a vital link in ensuring that medical advice could be provided to the clinics in some of the most locations in Australia. On returning to People and Culture Sabrina is now able to use her experience to assist in recruitment and a greater understanding of the challenges St John NT Emergency Medical Responders and paramedics face in their frontline roles. 

Career Highlights: 

For 12 months, Sabrina undertook a new role as a Service Desk Operator (SDO) in the ECC. During this time, Sabrina not only excelled in the role as an SDO, but also utilised her skills to educate and support the ECC team with recruitment and additional administrative tasks. 

Alisha Cossar

Area Operations Manager

Time in service: 14 years

Biography:

After graduating with a Bachelor in Health Science - Paramedicine, Alisha worked in Australia as a Paramedic. Alisha then returned to New Zealand in 2008 as a Paramedic and achieved authority to practice at Intensive Care Paramedic Level. In 2018 Alisha became a Right Care Advisor, responsible to designing and implementing alternate patient pathways in the community to reduce hospital admissions and provide a greater scope of care for our patients. In 2021 Alisha became an Area Operations Manager in Auckland, responsible for the operations of a large geographical area within the busiest City in New Zealand. In 2022 Alisha spearheaded Emergency Consults in Auckland allowing Frontline staff to consult directly with a physician to determine the best care for low acuity patients.

Jude Parke

National Clinical Internship Manager

Time in service: 9 years

Biography:

Jude has undertaken different roles in the Emergency Ambulance Service in both frontline and management since 2013. In 2021 Jude gained the Clinical Internship Manager role. Since joining the Clinical Support management team, she has worked through many processes and pathways to improve the Internship Program focusing on consistency in delivery, preceptor course development and online access to increase the pool of preceptors and importantly ensuring the process and standard of care studies is at the academic level required to obtain an Authority to Practise as a Paramedic. Jude has also been pivotal in the development of the new Critical Care Paramedic internship process, which is in development to revamp the Clinical Assessment Day process to bring it and the graduate internship pathway pilot inline. Jude’s leadership spans across the Clinical Support leadership team and Ambulance Operations with clear, concise, well thought out new initiatives which has changed the face of the internship space.

Career Highlights:

Started career in the Ambulance Sector in 2000 as a Basic Ambulance Skills Wellington Free Ambulance. Commenced national certificate and secured a full-time job as an intern in 2002.  I worked my way through to ALS B (Advanced Life Support) before taking a year off the road in 2008 to work for the clinical department and help develop and write the new Paramedic program. Commenced degree with Whitireia and graduated as an ICP in 2011. In 2013 after moving a little further north accepted the role of Territory Manager - Horowhenua with St John. After 3 years in this role, I took a short break and came back to the road as an Intensive Care Paramedic working from Foxton and then Levin Station with the preceptor portfolio.  In November 2021 joined the clinical team as the Clinical Internship manager.

Jo Gallagher

Clinical Support Manager

Time in service: 35 years

Biography:

Jo is a highly respected hard working senior clinician (Registered Nurse & Paramedic) who has stepped up into clinical management. She was initially a Clinical Support Officer and then Clinical Team Manager, however, has most recently stepped up into the role of Clinical Support Manager. Jo also sat on the Ambulance Operations Student Leadership Training (SLT) during the COVID pandemic. Jo leads the ~135 Clinical Support personnel who deliver the 24/7 Clinical and Air Desks, was instrumental in standing up remote triage, and is responsible for the delivery of foundation training and continuing Clinical Excellence nationally in St John. Jo is a strategic thinker and delivers on such initiatives as the Air Desk and Clinical Support Officer resets. Jo’s experience and wisdom is generously shared amongst her colleagues, and she continues to be an example and inspiration to all people with her genuine empathy, integrity, and positive attitude. She shares this willingly through her above and beyond contribution to areas such as Women in Leadership and St John Youth.

Career Highlights:

• Senior registered clinician - RN and ICP (currently Paramedic) 
• Proud solo parent to Charlotte who remains her priority. 
• Determined the Clinical Support Officer reset to structure in clinical road time for the Clinical team.  
• Sitting on the St John industrial bargaining team. 
• Sits on the Women in Leadership group in Hato Hone St John. 

Suze Hocking

Intensive Care Paramedic

Time in service: 10 + years

Biography:

Suze discovered her love for paramedicine as a volunteer shortly after moving to New Zealand in 2007. After completing her paramedic degree at Whitireia, she started working full-time for Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA) and quickly made her way up the ranks. Suze’s currently qualified as an Intensive Care Paramedic which was achieved in 2022. Early on, she discovered an enduring interest in mental health support for paramedics and the impact this rewarding, but demanding profession has on mental and emotional well-being. In 2021 she completed her master’s degree with a thesis focusing on adaptive vs. dysfunctional emotional detachment in emergency healthcare workers. Suze also enjoys coaching. She has been a preceptor and mentor for Emergency Medical Technicians preparing for their paramedic qualification. Her co-worker’s well-being remains her strongest passion. To that end, she has launched a professional supervision service and is currently obtaining her certificate in professional supervision. She also aided in developing the debriefing tool STOPP10 for WFA and liaised with the Employee Assistance Program service in providing an overview of paramedic needs.

Career Highlights:

• Preceptor from 2015-2019 
• Master's degree with thesis focusing on adaptive vs. dysfunctional emotional detachment in emergency healthcare workers in Australasia 
• Survey of over 300 Australasian paramedics, collecting extensive data on detachment and sense of community 
• Recipient of the Truesdale Scholarship 
• Operational representative for the WellAware committee (~2 years) 
• Shortlisted for the WellAware award 2021 for ongoing efforts towards promoting and developing well-being strategies and programmes (nominated by peers) 
• Trained for and achieved Intensive Care Paramedic qualification concurrently with her Master’s degree 
• Developed her own debriefing tool and contributed towards the development of the STOPP10 tool for Wellington Free Ambulance 
• Pilot programme on the benefits of pet therapy in paramedicine; assisted peers with emotional support dog after challenging jobs 

Natasha Ellis

Quality Assurance Lead - Clinical Communication Centre

Time in service: 10 years

Biography:

Natasha has worked for Wellington Free Ambulance in the Clinical Communication Centre for over 10 years. In her roles as a call taker, dispatcher, and Quality Assurance lead she has had an incredible impact on staff and their career journeys. She provides support to all staff and is extremely passionate about their personal improvement. Her passion and dedicated approach to her work allows her to be an extremely valued and highly respected senior member of the team. Natasha builds strong relationships with all members of staff enabling her to have courageous, upbuilding and improvement centred conversations with ease. She is a natural leader within the organisation and is deeply respected by her peers and managers.

Career Highlights:

• Senior Call Taker; Emergency Dispatcher; Quality Assurance Lead.  
• 2018 Recipient of Dispatcher of the Year – Australasia 

Ruth Daniel

Senior Ambulance Dispatcher

Time in service: 11 years

Biography:

Ruth Daniel joined St John over 11 years ago, initially as a volunteer. As one of our longest-serving Operations Centre Officers, she has been an integral part of the expansion of the PNG St John Ambulance. When she first joined, she was one of only 4 control officers answering 111 phone calls off a prepaid mobile phone and manual dispatch. Ruth had previously worked at Port Moresby General Hospital and would meticulously write all patient and administration notes by hand.  

With the expansion of St John’s service, she has pushed herself to learn multiple computer systems and programs that are now integral to the National dispatching role she now holds. As a mother of five and grandmother to eleven, Ruth is a natural mentor and maternal figure to all that work with her. The calm in the storm, Ruth has a natural ability to work with all team members involved and teach the newer staff the intricacies behind the roles. She has recently completed a 4-week stint with St John WA and is already passing along all the titbits she has gained for the betterment of the officers around her.

Career Highlights:

She has recently completed a 4-week stint with St John WA and is already passing along all the titbits she has gained for the betterment of the officers around her.  

Ronnie Pomat

Executive Officer - Office of the CEO

Time in service: 4 years 

Biography:

Ms Ronnie Pomat has been working as the Executive Officer for the Office of the CEO for the past four years, ensuring the Office of the CEO and St John Ambulance PNG runs efficiently which to her credit can be seen in its ongoing success. She regularly identifies a number of high-profile issues that require immediate intervention and uses her initiative to manage those issues. She quietly intervenes in a number of high-impact, potentially harmful situations that could have impacted the good name and service she has consistently enabled SJA to avoid some major ‘politically explosive’ situations.  

She is the epitome of selfless service and whilst she may not think her role is “prominent”, she has and is the calm, compassionate and professional face that our clients, distinguished guests, and staff engage with daily. With the influx of new staff, domestic and international partners, government leaders, and dignitaries, Ronnie has ensured through her empathetic and refined leadership that events, meetings, and signings have succeeded effortlessly often in times of staff shortages and national crisis. Her reach is across provinces and often across countries with orchestrating meetings, accommodation, and incidentals in a different country to where she is sitting. constant challenges it faces in times of the pandemic and every day. 

Career Highlights:

Her impact through the work she undertakes has been and continues to be integral to the success and impacts the services of the Ambulance and Clinical Operations in subtle ways. Throughout the entire COVID crisis and regional expansion, Ms. Pomat’s wise guidance and knowledge have enabled St John Ambulance to thrive and take on the constant challenges it faces in times of the pandemic and every day.  

Over the years she has successfully organised numerous activities to name a few; such as the St John’s Gala dinner, the swearing-in of St John’s Council, supported the extensive work of the Women in Ambulance Authority, the Pacific Ambulance Conference, and more recently the Opening of the new building of the National Ambulance Coordination Centre. All the named events ran without a hitch and cost-efficiently under Ms Pomat’s tutelage. Her openness and wisdom and respect for humanity result in her ability to effectively support employees, volunteers, and the CEO to better negotiate unchartered areas. She mentors and offers guidance to numerous staff at all levels. 

 In addition, she regularly provides advice to international volunteers assisting them to work more effectively and learn the dos and don’ts of working in PNG, saving the volunteers and Overseas staff from embarrassment and sometimes more complex issues. 

Marissa Toboly

Executive Officer - Clinical Operations

Time in service: 2 years

Biography:

Ms Marissa Toboly joined St John during the height of the COVID19 pandemic in October 2020 as an administrative volunteer to the St John Incident Management Team. Throughout the COVID crisis, Marissa has been an unsung hero in our service working behind the scenes to coordinate the response to over 9000 covid swabs from 2020 onwards for clients around Port Moresby with 1000 in the first three months of 2022 alone. On call after hours, she was often called by clients late at night or early in the morning with demands for COVID tests with very short time frames yet managed to pull most of them off. Even without formal clinical training, she freely and fearlessly walked into the homes and offices of people who had suspected covid and represented St John to our national and international partners with a smile and compassionate greeting. Her coordination of the entire service ensured that we could comply with MOAs with large international clients as well as safeguard the community in a turbulent health crisis. 

Career Highlights:

With the COVID demand decreasing, Marissa turned her attention to the coordination of our education and training of our ambulance officers, corporate staff, and ambulance operations centre team. Under her guidance, over 300 staff were trained in 2021 and 2022 in courses ranging from Ambulance Practice, COVID PPE, Customer Service and Operational Management.  
 

Helen Haria

Ambulance Officer

Time in service: 6 years

Biography:

Helen Haria is a qualified Ambulance Officer Level 2 serving St John Ambulance in Lae, Morobe province Papua New Guinea. On January 16th, 2017, Helen started working with St. John Ambulance as a reservist ambulance officer and she worked her way up to her current position. Helen established herself as a top-notch female ambulance attendant responding to incidents in Port Moresby and Lae city. Helen is one of the few women who shows that women can work shifts and attend to casualties in settlements, jails, and even crime scenes in the era when field officers in St. John Ambulance are predominately men. Her regular duties involve giving first aid treatment for situations like trauma, respiratory distress, labor women, snake bites, and other medical emergencies. Helen is observant and courageous enough to check the ambulance is tidy before attending to a new victim. She double-checks and makes sure the medical kits are fully supplied before another emergency arises. Helen was one of the ambulance officers that put in countless hours of work during the 2018 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Papua New Guinea. 

Career Highlights:

Appointed as an acting Duty Operations manager in 2017 to oversee the operations for 3 months.

Noileen Ao

Manager - ICT

Time in service: 3 years

Biography:

Noileen commenced in 2019 at St John Ambulance PNG initially as an Assistant Computer Aided Dispatcher. Prior to working at St John, she gained her Diploma in Information Technology from Port Moresby Business College. Through her hard work, she was promoted to the Information Technology unit as an Administration Officer leading the data and systems development in a rapidly growing organization. A year later she was promoted to ITC Operations Support Senior Officer where she had to juggle work and two babies. Noileen’s second promotion in 2023 to Manager IT Services has been a recognition to her ability to successfully lead the implementation of a complex IT system into the specially built National Ambulance Operation Center and manage the implementation of effective IT systems in 5 other locations, some in remote locations with numerous challenges. This has required her to manage several key projects at once whilst coordinating internal and external IT users within Papua New Guinea. Working and leading her team in IT in PNG is extremely challenging, yet she never complains, as it is a developing country that requires her to think creatively and incredibly flexibly, traits that Noileen has and exudes to make impossible systems work efficiently.  

Career Highlights:

Achieving her IT qualifications in a country with limited resources and transport while she put herself through college as a waitress. Gaining 3 promotions in 3 years through her extensive hard work while giving birth to 2 children in 2 years She successfully moved the entire CAD to another building introducing a much more complex IT system. Training staff a large number of staff with no IT skills to use all the required systems