As the world marks 50 years since the United Nations officially recognised International Women’s Day, CareFlight is proud to announce an incredible milestone that underscores its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and gender equality. For the first time in its history, CareFlight has successfully deployed all-female crews on critical lifesaving missions – a momentous achievement that not only highlights the company’s leadership in aeromedicine but also celebrates the remarkable women paving the way in the field.
In an industry where women represent just 7.5% of pilots and 17% of critical care doctors, CareFlight is bucking the trend by empowering female professionals across aviation and emergency medicine. With the ability to deploy all-female teams comprising pilots, critical care doctors, and flight nurses, CareFlight is demonstrating that gender is no barrier to delivering world-class medical care in the most challenging conditions.
Trudy Guiney, a CareFlight Flight Nurse, was part of a recent all-female mission and reflected on the significance of the moment. “There’s something incredible about stepping into the aircraft, looking around, and seeing an entire team of women—all highly trained, all at the top of their game, and all there for one purpose: saving lives,” she said. “It’s a moment of pride but also a reminder of how far we’ve come. A few years ago, this wouldn’t have been possible. Now, it’s happening, and it’s only the beginning.”
CareFlight’s women-led teams take to the skies and roads daily, providing urgent, lifesaving medical care to both urban and remote communities across Australia. These teams are vital to the success of aeromedical retrieval and patient transport services, ensuring patients receive the best possible care, no matter their location.
Jodie Mills, CareFlight’s General Manager of Northern Operations, spoke to the importance of these all-female teams. “We’ve been deploying all-female crews on King Airs, jets, and road vehicles for years, but we’ve never taken a moment to acknowledge the significance of the milestone before. To have an all-female aeromedical crew ready to respond at a moment’s notice is something that we are proud to say occurs regularly,” she said. “This isn’t just about representation—it’s about breaking barriers and leading by example. Our female crews are out there, day and night, providing the highest level of care to Australians in need.”
The achievements of these pioneering women are not just a reflection of CareFlight’s commitment to equality, but also a message of empowerment for future generations. CareFlight’s Senior Base Pilot, Anna Pescatore, has flown hundreds of life-saving missions and emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for women in aviation. “When I first started in aviation, an all-female crew was unheard of. Now, we’re flying critical missions together, showing that skill, leadership, and expertise have nothing to do with gender,” she said. “It’s a powerful moment for all of us – because this isn’t about ticking a box for diversity. It’s about being the best at what we do and saving lives.”
In addition to its ongoing efforts in aeromedical care, CareFlight is committed to inspiring the next generation of women leaders in both aviation and emergency medicine. By celebrating the achievements of their female staff and marking International Women’s Day with this milestone, CareFlight is encouraging girls and women to explore the vast career opportunities these essential industries offer.
As CareFlight continues to break barriers and redefine what’s possible, the future of women in aeromedicine looks brighter than ever. This historic achievement serves as both a celebration of the past and a bold statement about the future of gender equality in high-stakes, life-saving industries.
