Leah Freier Levine, is the Chief Operating Officer of Ezras Nashim
How has Ezras Nashim contributed to equity in women’s health?
Ezras Nashim is the first and only all-women volunteer ambulance service in the nation. Our mission is to provide prehospital emergency care for women, by women—allowing patients to focus on their health rather than the loss of dignity that can accompany a medical emergency.
When we began, many doubted that women could build and operate a professional ambulance service on their own. We were told that women lacked the strength or stamina for such demanding work. But we proved otherwise. Today, our team of highly trained EMTs and paramedics responds quickly and skillfully, saving lives and setting a new standard for compassionate, dignified emergency care.
Our work goes beyond emergency response. Through home visit programs and wellness checks, we reach elderly and homebound women who might otherwise go unseen, ensuring they receive both medical support and human connection. We also empower the next generation by offering free first-aid trainings for women and children, equipping them with the knowledge to act confidently in an emergency.
Ezras Nashim has helped reshape the conversation around women’s health and leadership—demonstrating that women are not only capable of excelling in high-pressure medical fields but also of transforming systems to better serve female patients.
I was inspired by my mother, Hon. Rachel Freier, the founder of Ezras Nashim and the first Chassidic female judge in the world. She taught me that when you see a gap in care or justice, you don’t wait for someone else to fill it—you step up and lead. That same spirit drives everything we do: delivering care with dignity, compassion, and excellence to every woman, everywhere.
To learn more or support our mission, visit www.ezrasnashim.org. Every donation helps us respond faster, train more female EMTs, and expand equitable access to emergency care for women in need.
The Biggest Misconceptions About Women in Emergency Care
One of the biggest misconceptions we encounter is the belief that women aren’t strong enough to carry heavy patients or equipment, and that they’re too busy with family responsibilities to reliably serve in emergency response roles.
In reality, emergency medical services are far more about skill than sheer strength. Our members are highly trained in proper lifting techniques and use specialized equipment that allows us to move patients safely and efficiently. What matters most in an emergency is precision, composure, and compassion—and our women excel in all three.
As for availability, Ezras Nashim has built a unique scheduling system that accommodates our members’ family lives while maintaining rapid response times. Our volunteers sign up only for shifts when they are fully available and ready to respond at a moment’s notice. Many even keep their uniforms nearby or sleep in their clothing during overnight shifts to ensure they can respond immediately when a call comes in.
These misconceptions have driven us, not deterred us. Every call we answer and every life we touch proves that women are fully capable of providing professional, efficient, and dignified emergency medical care—without compromising on either their responsibilities or their values.
What advice would you share with aspiring physicians, especially when working with women?
Medicine is not only about treating illness — it’s about caring for people. My advice is to approach every patient, especially women, with empathy, curiosity, and respect.
Take the time to understand what matters to them — their fears, their comfort levels, their cultural or personal boundaries. When a woman feels truly heard and respected, she’s more likely to trust her provider, seek help early, and engage in her care.
And never underestimate the power of compassion. Women are often the ones caring for everyone else — as mothers, daughters, professionals, and friends. When we meet them with genuine kindness and understanding, we’re not only healing bodies; we’re strengthening communities.
Learn more about Ezras Nashim and support our mission at www.ezrasnashim.org. Every contribution helps us train more female EMTs, respond faster, and bring care and dignity to women in need.
Inspira Advantage is proud to feature insights from leaders like Leah Freier Levine to help pre-med students understand the importance of culturally responsive care and inclusive support for diverse communities.
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