VICDOC Autumn 2025 - Magazine - Page 30
I am committed to doing my work on a local basis to improve
outcomes for the women in my area, because my community is
very important to me. Ultimately, if you're doing your very best
and trying to help the people around you, then I think you're
leaving a positive mark on the world.
I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT HEALTH LITERACY AND
HEALTH EQUITY AND UNDERSTAND THAT HEALTH
OUTCOMES ARE LINKED TO UNDERSTANDING
ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.
path. I grew up in southwest Atlanta, which
is a historically Black area. We never saw
anyone that looked different from us, which
is a relatively unique perspective for a Black
American to have. In my community, most
I'm Black American, and overall, Black
people were educated and had professional
Americans have such poor health outcomes. positions. I always felt I could do anything.
A lot of it traces back to health literacy and The woman that delivered me was one
not having adequate support in place for
of the first black O&Gs in our area. She
people when they’re navigating the health
spoke at my graduation; having her follow
system. I see some mirrored situations for
my career has been incredibly moving
New Zealand Maori and Aboriginal and
and inspiring.
Torres Strait Islanders here in Australia.
I'm always looking for new and interesting I CHOSE TO SPECIALISE IN MENOPAUSE
ways to make sure patients understand
AND PERIMENOPAUSE AS I HAVE PERSONAL
more about their bodies, their diagnoses
EXPERIENCE WITH THIS, AND I'VE LEARNED
and treatment options, and using shared
SO MUCH IN MY OWN JOURNEY.
decision making when deciding treatment
options. I think there’s huge value in using
I’m of a generation that, if something is
different tools to help with that, because
bothering us and affecting our quality of
not everybody learns the same way.
life, we're going to look for resources and
ways to improve things. Our mother's
I HAVE WANTED TO BE AN OBSTETRICIAN
generation are the silent generation, where
GYNAECOLOGIST FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE.
menopause was not often talked about.
But now, we have an opportunity to frame
I remember going to my mom’s obstetric
it in a very different way. I went through
visits and thinking it was the most magical perimenopause quite early, and then I
thing to see a baby growing inside her. I
learned that there are ethnic differences
decided, then and there, that I was going to in when women go through menopause.
be an O&G. I had some wonderful mentors I’m a gynaecologist, and I didn’t know
growing up that helped keep me on that
that! On average, Southeast Asian and
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