| |
| MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS |
| ~ Base Manager, Durban |
|
| Email |
Afzal@ams.org.za |
| Job Responsibilities |
Overall responsibilities for local operations in KZN, for both Health Support ``Flying Doctor Service`` and the ``Air Ambulance Service`` Aeromedical Component. |
| When did you start at AMS? |
June 2003 |
| What did you do before? |
Worked with the KZN Dept. of Health at the Emergency Medical & Rescue Services initially, then specialized in education and finally branched out into Public Health. Hence my interest in Health Outreach grew into the next progression and this job entails everything. |
| What do you enjoy most about your job? |
Working with people that give more than they receive. AMS is a place where people are passionate about what they do. It is a privilage to work among the altruistic staff, health care specialists and volunteers that make everyday at work rewarding. |
| Most memorable moment |
Helping out on an International Mercy Mission where a SA citizen was seriously injured and would not have made it if we did not get there in time. The victim who was once expected to be paralyzed for the rest of his life is now almost fully rehabilitated and is leading a healthy and productive life. |
|
| |
|
| Craig Armstrong ~ Fixed Wing Pilot |
 |
| Email |
craig@ams.or.za |
| Job Responsibilities |
Transport medical personnel to remote areas in a safe and effective manner. |
| When did you start
at AMS? |
31st January 2006 |
| What did you do before? |
Charter Chief Pilot for Federal Air in Durban |
| What do you enjoy
most about your job? |
Flying and helping people
|
| Most
memorable moment |
Every medical transfer is a memorable moment. |
|
| |
|
| Sean Elgin ~ Rotor Wing Pilot |
 |
| Job Responsibilities |
Flying and transporting medical personnel. |
| When did you start
at AMS? |
December 2005 |
| What did you do before? |
Worked as a Helicopter Pilot for the National Ports Authority |
| What do you enjoy
most about your job? |
Flying and that every day is really different. |
| Most
memorable moment |
kloof flying. |
|
| |
|
| Rob Finlayson ~ Pilot |
 |
| Job Responsibilities |
KZN Pilot @ Pool Captain |
| Email |
robf@ams.org.za |
| When did you start
at AMS? |
1998 – 2000, Dec 2005 - Present |
| What did you do before? |
F Flying in Lesotho for many years serving the communities to the kingdom. |
| What do you enjoy
most about your job? |
Witnessing first hand the gratitude and joy when desperate people receive help. |
| Most
memorable moment |
A courtesy visit from a recovered patient that I had flown after a horrific accident. |
|
| |
|
| Trish Gloss ~ Volunteer Service Coordinator |
 |
| Email |
glossm@sapref.com |
| Job Responsibilities |
Accompany specialists
and coordinate Flying Doctor Service |
| When did you start
at AMS? |
June 1998 |
| What do you enjoy
most about your job? |
Making a real
difference in improving lives of the people we help. |
| Most
memorable moment |
So many. To
witness first-hand the joy a pair of spectacles can bring
to someone who has not seen for years, or the difference
a wheelchair, a pair of crutches or prosthetic limbs
can make to an amputee who has been pushed around in
a wheelbarrow or carried on the backs of family and friends. |
|
| |
|
| Mico Mienie ~ Pilot |
 |
| Email |
mico_mienie@yahoo.com |
| Job Responsibilities |
Flying |
| When did you start at AMS? |
December 2004 |
| What did you do before? |
Worked at Grand Central Airport in Johannesburg for Alpine Aviation as a commercial helicopter pilot. |
| What do you enjoy most about your job? |
The adrenalin-rush of loading a patient and saving a life! |
|
| |
|
| Danie Minny ~ Pilot |
 |
| Email |
Dminny@internext.co.za |
| Job Responsibilities |
Flying outreach teams across KwaZulu-Natal Province |
| When did you start at AMS? |
1 December 2001 |
| What did you do before? |
Pharmaceutical Company pilot for 8 years in Bloemfontein . |
| What do you enjoy most about your job? |
Flying the PC-12 aircraft into short-strip and challenging airfields in KZN and other provinces |
| Most memorable moment |
Chasing pedestrians and cattle off airstrips before landing the aircraft. |
|
| |
|
| Siphiwe Mthethwa ~ Hangar Attendant |
 |
| Job Responsibilities |
Washing the aircraft, cleaning the hangar and the base. |
| When did you start at AMS? |
December 2005 |
| What do you enjoy most about your job? |
Every day I enjoy working for the AMS |
|
| |
|
| Goodness Mthembu ~ Receptionist |
 |
| Email |
goodnessm@ams.org.za |
| Job Responsibilities |
Answering the phone. Phoning the Flying Doctors and confirm their flights. Arrange the transport with the hospitals to pick up the doctors to and from the landing trips. |
| When did you start at AMS? |
November 2005 |
| What did you do before? |
Working for Airport Company. |
| What do you enjoy most about your job? |
Meeting new people everyday and different doctors. |
| Most memorable moment |
First flight with AMS. |
|
| |
|
| Kogie Naidoo ~ Administration Assistant |
 |
| Email |
Kogie@ams.org.za |
| Job Responsibilities |
Co-ordination of Flying Doctor Service, recruit specialists, organise hospital requirements and other administration functions |
| When did you start at AMS? |
June 1998 |
| What did you do before? |
Secretary of the Chief at EMRS and Administrative Assistant at Medical Rescue International |
| What do you enjoy most about your job? |
Meeting and dealing with people. |
|
| Most memorable moment |
The first pair of glasses issued to an elderly woman after having cataract surgery for five years. She danced around us in excitement! |
|
| |
|
| Yolanda Huri ~ Office Assistant |
 |
| Email |
kogie@ams.org.za |
| Job Responsibilities |
General administration |
| When did you start at AMS? |
Volunteer, 2001. Full time: Dec 2004 |
| What did you do before? |
Collections clerk and sales rep for various organisations |
| What do you enjoy most about your job? |
Meeting new people and getting to fly from time to time. |
| Most memorable moment |
Working on events - such as our end of year function... when you work throughout the day and then late into the night. |
|
| |
|
| Danie Schoeman ~ Fixed Wing Pilot |
 |
| Email |
danie@ams.org.za |
| Job Responsibilities |
Flying Doctor Service and Air Ambulance Service. |
| When did you join AMS? |
January 2006 |
| What did you do before? |
Charter pilot and Instructor for 5 years. |
| What do you enjoy most about your job? |
The challenges flying to the bush strips in the PC 12 and then flying back to the base to a controlled airport like Durban. |
| Most memorable moment |
When flying all moments are memorable. |
|
| |
|
| David Solomon ~ Senior Pilot |
 |
| Job Responsibilities |
Flying Doctor Service, Air Ambulance Service and keeping Durban base flying. |
| When did you start at AMS? |
October 2001 |
| What did you do before? |
Worked as Motorcycle Mechanic, Toolmaker and as a Charter Pilot before I started at AMS. |
| What do you enjoy most about your job? |
The great feeling doing something good and useful - and the flying of course! |
| Most memorable moment |
Landing at night with car lights at Manguzi to collect a critical patient. |
|
| |
|
| Lynette Thomas ~ Part time Service Coordinator |
 |
| Email |
Lthomas@ams.org.za |
| Job Responsibilities |
Oversee and coordinate emergency flights and Flying Doctor Service |
| When did you start at AMS? |
June 1998 |
| What do you enjoy most about your job? |
Satisfaction in being able to meet the requests/needs of a rural area or patient |
| Most memorable moment |
Too many good moments! |
|
|
| |
|
| Johan Vandeverre ~ Fixed Wing Pilot |
 |
| Job Responsibilities |
Fly the airplane, transport and care of the crew and passengers. |
| Email: |
johann@ams.org.za |
| When did you start at AMS? |
December 2005 |
| What did you do before? |
Worked as a traffic pilot for the National Airways Corporation. |
| What do you enjoy most about your job? |
Benefiting the community with my skills. |
| Most memorable moment |
The day I went solo for the first time. |
|
