Leading the Way: Exploring the Impact of Leadership Styles on Women’s Experiences in Emergency Medical Services
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Authors
Reeder, Heather
Issue Date
2025
Volume
Issue
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Emergency Medical Services , Gender equity , Inclusion , Leadership , Mentorship
Alternative Title
Abstract
Women remain underrepresented in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), particularly in leadership roles, perpetuating inequities and retention challenges. The purpose of this dissertation in practice was to explore how women in EMS perceive leadership, organizational culture, and gender-related barriers as influencing their sense of inclusion and job satisfaction, and to identify leadership’s role in shaping these experiences.Using an interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven women representing nine states and three EMS system types: fire-based, government, and private. Findings revealed four themes for research question one – leadership personalities, organizational culture, educational influences, and gender-specific challenges – and four for research question two – gendered barriers and inequities, leadership influence, organizational culture and belonging, and personal well-being, growth, and identity.
An evidence-based leadership and mentorship framework for inclusion in EMS was developed, integrating servant, transformational, and leader-member exchange leadership theories. This framework offers a practical strategy for EMS agencies to strengthen inclusion, retention, and workforce diversity.
Keywords: Emergency Medical Services, leadership, inclusion, mentorship, gender equity
Description
2025
Citation
Publisher
Creighton University
License
Copyright is retained by the Author.
A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.