Archives: Team Members

Claire McGivern

Head and shoulders image of a lady with long blonde hair wearing a dark blue flight suit infront of a yellow helicopter

Meet Claire McGivern, one of our skilled Technical Crew Members (TCMs) who joined the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team in November 2024. Originally from Hull, Claire now lives in Gilberdyke, East Yorkshire.

As a TCM, Claire plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth and safe operation of our aircraft. She carries out essential pre-flight checks, supports the Pilot during key flight phases such as take-off, approach, and landing, and assists the medical team as an Emergency Care Assistant (ECA).

Claire started her career as a dental nurse, a role she held for seven years, before deciding to follow her passion for emergency care. She spent eight years as an ECA with Yorkshire Ambulance Service, working out of Brough Station, where she made lifelong friendships.

Outside of work, Claire enjoys spending time with her family, including her 11-year-old son, as well as traveling and holidays. While she’s visited many places, Dubai tops her list of favourites—closely followed by Ibiza!

An interesting fact about Claire is that in 2019 she lived and worked in a military hospital in Ukraine, providing ambulance and medical support to front-line soldiers. Reflecting on the experience, she said, “It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me invaluable trauma experience – it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

Lisa Dale

A lady with a blonde bob hair style and wearing a black fleece with a red logo

Meet Lisa Dale, our Clinical Support Officer who joined the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team in September 2024. Born and raised in Sheffield, Lisa brings with her a wealth of experience after 27 years in the NHS, primarily in the Acute and Emergency Medicine directorate.

In her new role at YAA, Lisa is focused on supporting the clinical team of doctors and paramedics by helping to embed clinical and quality governance. By collecting and analysing data on the incidents we attend, she plays a crucial role in developing and improving the service we offer.

One of her proudest achievements throughout her career was helping to establish the Major Trauma Service at Northern General Hospital, ensuring that it became a Major Trauma Centre. Her role in collecting and interpreting data on trauma patients was key to its success.

Speaking of why she was eager to join YAA, Lisa said, “I’ve often wondered what it would be like to work for a charity and when this position came up, I grabbed this opportunity with both hands! This role perfectly combined my expertise in major trauma data analysis with the opportunity to support an emergency medical service from a new angle. I have worked with consultants who also fly with YAA, so I had some insight into the amazing work the Air Ambulance team does every day. Now I feel so proud to be a part of that team and help to continue to develop the service.”

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys family walks—especially if cake and coffee are involved—and is an avid reader of urban fantasy fiction, preferring the escapism of a good novel over biographies. In addition, an interesting fact about Lisa is that she once completed the Sheffield Half Marathon and has firmly said, “Never again!”