| Aithne Rowse | |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Education: | University of the Witwatersrand |
| Occupation: | Physician |
| Field: | Anesthesiology |
| Work Institutions: | Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital |
Aithne Rowse (born 1968?) is an anaesthetist who was the first South African woman to over-winter in Antarctica.
Rowse grew up in Johannesburg and studied for a degree at Wits University Medical School.[1] She worked at Johannesburg Hospital and as an anaesthetist at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Diepkloof.[2] She has recommended better practice in tourniquet technique.[3]
In 1979, American Michele Eileen Raney was the first woman doctor to be in Antarctica all year when she spent the winter at the South Pole.[4] Rowse was the first South African woman to over-winter in Antarctica in 1997 when she was aged 29.[5] [6] [7] She was also the first woman to be selected to join any SANAE team. She was part of a team of ten who were the first group to spend the winter on the South African base SANAE IV.[8] Rowse was doctor for the team and her preparation for the job meant that she undertook a range of courses to make her familiar with every aspect of emergency medicine. Prior to arrival, Rowse had not met any of the members of the team for that year.[9] Afterwards, Rowse married fellow team member Hein de Beer.[10]