Biography:
Karen Stewart began her career in emergency services as the youngest female paramedic in Scotland, graduating in 1997 with an IHCD in Paramedicine. Over the next 19 years, she served in the Scottish Ambulance Service, taking on a range of clinical and leadership roles. In 2010, she commenced a Bachelor of Science degree, which she completed in 2012—the same year she emigrated to Australia and joined St John WA as a paramedic.
Karen quickly progressed to the role of Clinical Governance Operations Manager and has since held several senior leadership positions. She is currently the General Manager of Ambulance Operations – Rural and Remote WA, where she leads with a deep commitment to community care and operational excellence.
Her academic journey continued with a Master’s in Healthcare Management from Murdoch University. During this time, she conducted research on the transition from clinician to manager from a paramedic’s perspective, which was published in the Australasian Journal of Paramedicine in January 2021. Karen has since co-authored multiple publications, is an Associate Fellow of the College of Health Service Management, a certified health manager, and is currently pursuing a PhD in women’s health.
In the past 18 months, Karen has become a passionate advocate for perimenopause and menopause awareness. Her research and advocacy have led to several published articles, podcasts, and a television interview. Most notably, she headed a project that resulted in St John WA achieving menopause-friendly accreditation in February 2025.
Abstract:
Menopause is a natural part of life, but it’s often overlooked and misunderstood in the workplace settings. St John WA has taken a significant step towards breaking down these barriers by becoming the first emergency service in Australia to attain Menopause Friendly accreditation. This poster presentation will explore our journey to achieving this recognition, highlighting the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive workplace environment for employees experiencing menopause and it’s symptoms. By sharing our experiences and best practices, we aim to contribute to a broader conversation about menopause awareness and support, helping to break the stigma surrounding this important health issue. Guided by our core values of Walk the Talk, Lead with Heart, Think Team, and Make it Better, we demonstrate our commitment to prioritising the well-being and dignity of all employees, regardless of their stage of life.