For Josepha Tok, helping people during emergencies is not something she does only in competitions. It is part of her everyday job as a Senior Health Extension Officer at New Simberi Gold (NSG).

However, her skills were put to the ultimate test at the 2026 National Emergency Response Challenge (NERC) in Lae, Morobe province and among emergency responders from across Papua New Guinea, Josepha stood out.

By the end of the competition, Tok was awarded the Best Medic Award, a recognition given to the top performer in emergency medical response.

What makes her achievement even more inspiring, was that she was the only woman competing in the challenge.

While many people see emergency response as physically demanding work, Josepha believes success comes from staying calm, thinking clearly and making the right decisions when every second counts.

Throughout the competition, she used the same skills she relies on every day when caring for patients and managing medical emergencies at work.

For Josepha, the award was not just a personal achievement but was also a chance to show that women can succeed in any role they choose.

“Winning the award proves that skill has no gender on the field,” she said.

“It is not about strength, but having a calm mind, accurate assessment and assertive leadership. I want to show other women that we belong in emergency response too.”

Her success also helped New Simberi Gold achieve one of its best results at the competition, with the team finishing third overall and taking home several individual awards.

Meanwhile, team captain Charles Kote praised the dedication of the team and volunteers who helped make the achievement possible.

For Josepha, however, the biggest reward is knowing that her story may inspire other young women to step outside their comfort zones and follow careers that are often seen as men’s work.

By walking onto the competition field as the only female participant and leaving as the country's Best Medic, she has shown that courage, skill and leadership are not determined by gender.

As she returns home to Simberi, Josepha carries more than a trophy. She carries a message for the next generation of women: believe in your abilities, work hard and never let anyone tell you that a job is not for you.