On International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February), we ae proud to celebrate the incredible women who drive innovation, compassion and lifesaving expertise across our service. Among them is Jodie, one of our Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Paramedics, whose determination and lifelong passion for critical care has brought her to the frontline of our world‑leading lifesaving service.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an opportunity to highlight role models like Jodie —women whose curiosity, resilience and ambition help pave the way for the next generation of scientists, clinicians and innovators.
Jodie joined KSS in August 2024 on secondment from South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb), where her career began in 2009 as a 999 call taker. Her progression through multiple frontline roles — Emergency Care Support Worker, Associate Ambulance Practitioner, and Paramedic — reflects her dedication to developing her clinical skills and serving the community.
At KSS highly-skilled paramedics like Jodie, working alongside expert doctors, dispatchers and pilots respond to an average of nine emergencies every day. They deliver cutting-edge pre-hospital critical care 24/7 to the most critically ill and injured people, helping to save lives across Kent, Surrey, Sussex and beyond.
For Jodie, becoming a HEMS Paramedic was a long-held ambition.
She explains: “It’s been my dream to be a HEMS Paramedic for 16 years! I’m thrilled and so proud to have been successful last year and be in the role I am now!.”.
The transition into her current role has been demanding, requiring intense training, advanced clinical capability and the ability to deliver enhanced care in challenging environments. Jodie embraced it wholeheartedly:
“I had a very interesting sign‑off process – it was a steep learning curve and making the adjustments away from my personal life has been challenging but I’ve embraced it every step of the way and, to be honest, I am loving every minute of it.”
As a member of Team KSS, Jodie’s role extends beyond critical care missions. From supporting the lifesaving charity’s fundraising events — including Heli Hike in Kent and Guildford Christmas Carol Concert — to joining school visits with the Community Team, she plays an active role in helping raise the vital funds and awareness needed to keep KSS operational. With the service costing £57k a day to run, and with 91% of this raised through the incredible generosity of our supporters, Jodie knows just how important fundraising is in helping KSS to continue its work.
“I absolutely love working with everyone here at KSS – whether that’s fellow crew members on scene delivering lifesaving care or helping at a fundraising event. Everyone here is so amazing and I’m honoured to work alongside them all.”
Looking ahead, Jodie is focused on continuing her professional development and hopes to pass the Diploma in Immediate Medical Care exam during her time with KSS.
Outside of work, she balances life as a mum of two with being a keen footballer — a passion that once saw her play for AFC Wimbledon. She now trains weekly with the Guildford and Chertsey FC Ambulance Team and enjoys planning her next family holiday.
At KSS, we are proud to champion women in advanced medical and aviation roles, and to help empower more girls and young women to explore careers in science, medicine and emergency care.
For information about some of the other roles at KSS, please visit our careers page.
