GoSponsorHer: supporting the next generation of women leaders in paramedicine

Alan Batt presents at the EMS Leadership Summit on the concept of sponsoring women in paramedicine. His presentation is based on his experiences sponsoring two women in paramedicine in Canada. 

Mentoring and sponsorship are essential activities in the professional development of both men and women. These forms of relationships often form between individuals who have common interests, or when the junior member reminds the more senior member of themselves. In paramedicine, the number of men in leadership positions usually means that other men are the ones who end up mentored and sponsored. It can be the case that junior women find it difficult to find similar levels of personal and career support since there are fewer women in leadership positions.