VICDOC Autumn 2025 - Magazine - Page 31
Black American women go through
menopause a lot earlier than women of
European descent. The average age for a
European Australian woman is 51. But
for a Black woman in America, it’s 47. For
some Southeast Asian women, it can be as
early as 46. Recognising these differences
means we are better equipped to help these
patients when they present for advice or
treatment.
AS A REGIONAL AND RURAL OBSTETRICIAN,
MY GREATEST CHALLENGE WILL BE TO HELP
PROVIDE MATERNITY SERVICES AND KEEP WOMEN
BIRTHING ON COUNTRY.
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Where I work in Bass Coast is not
that far from the city, but patients with
complications must often spend time away
from home to access care, which impacts
their family and support networks and
emotional wellbeing. I don't expect there to
be a tertiary hospital in every smaller unit,
but right now the way we approach this is
overly fragmented. We can also do better
to prevent the closure of smaller birthing
units. This drives me nuts, because people
living rurally and regionally are the bedrock
of Australia. These are the people that put
food on our tables and make our economy
go. As a society, we have a duty to make
sure they have good, streamlined access to
the healthcare and support they need. If I
was in charge, I’d have specialist telehealth
options for rural and regional patients.
I’d invest in mobile units to service those
patients who can’t travel hours for specialist
healthcare. I’d make sure we work on skills
consolidation and keeping rural birthing
units open so that low risk women can
birth closer to home.
I CAME TO AUSTRALIA IN 2016, AS AN IMG.
I'M PRIVILEGED TO HAVE COME FROM A
WESTERN, ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRY,
BECAUSE BEING AN IMG CAN BE CHALLENGING.
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For me, being here is like being at my
grandmother’s house. It feels familiar
and comfortable, and there are not many
cultural differences that throw me for
a huge loop. Whereas for other IMGs
coming from non-Western cultures or
backgrounds, it can be very challenging.
I don't think we do enough to support
them in their roles and communities,
especially in their early weeks and months.
This is something I’m focusing on in my
work on the RDAV Board. If we want
to set people up for success, we've got to
do a better job of making sure they have
good exposure to the Australian healthcare
system, Australian culture and values and
cultural nuances that will truly improve
their assimilation into the system.
I'M A SPECIAL NEEDS MOM. THIS HAS
BROUGHT AN UNEXPECTED LAYER TO
MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY.
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My son’s diagnosis means I can't make long
term plans, because I'm not sure where
he’ll be in five, 10 or 20 years. I've always
been a planner but have had to learn to
slow down and take one day at a time. I’ve
found a wonderful peace in my personal
and professional lives. 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.
VI CD O C AUTU M N 2025
31
