Medicine is not a ‘9 to 5’ job - how do you
balance work and life? Can you ever truly
separate the two?
The urgency and immediacy means that my
career in medicine is very much removed from a
“9-5” job. Over the years of private practice this
has lead to the crucial requirement of working
closely with trusted colleagues in an on-call roster
to guarantee 24/7 emergency care for 365 days
of the year. The on-call roster we have developed
enables excellent care combined with a work/life
balance. I can have time off to enjoy my leisure
and more importantly my family whilst I am
certain my patient’s needs are fully met.
What has practising medicine taught you
about your own life and how you live?
Practising Obstetrics and Gynaecology has
taught me the importance of family and the
essential components of never compromising
on outcomes but working within a system that
allows you to have time for your own health,
own family and leisure time.
OUR PEOPLE
What do you find most enjoyable or what is
the most exhilarating thing about being a
gynaecologist and obstetrician?
The most exhilarating aspect of my career is
to fulfil the needs and desires of a woman to
complete her family.
What do you find most difficult/
disappointing/frustrating about your work?
On the flip side the most difficult or
disappointing aspect of my career are the few
times that the medical odds have stacked up
against someone and despite all our IVF work and
other assistance I have fallen short of helping a
woman achieve motherhood. Human reproduction
is amazing and complex but occasionally success
eludes us and this is heart breaking.
What are the essential traits of a good
gynaecologist and obstetrician?
You need to be caring, empathetic, decisive and
technically highly skilled.
What have been some of the most
memorable, defining and powerful moments
of your life – professional and otherwise?
On a personal note my most powerful moments
of my life revolve around my family. I am blessed
to have a wonderful relationship and marriage to
Fiona for over 30 years and we have been blessed
by our three children who have all grown to be
wonderful, responsible and talented adults.
Professionally I am honoured to have been an
integral part of Pindara Hospital for just on 25
years. I am proud of the hospital and the growth in
the hospital complex as well as the quality of care
provided. I take my roles on hospital committees
seriously and am honoured to be the chair of our day
surgery facility at Pindara Day Procedure Centre as
it embarks on 20 years of service for the Gold Coast.
What kind of music would we find on your iPod?
My music tastes are inflicted upon my patients
in the operating theatre and the staff who work
with me. The music varies from the B’s of The
Beatles, Bee Gee’s and Buble through to Crowded
House, INXS and the music I grew up with at
university and beyond.
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