AMA VICDOC Spring 2023 - Magazine - Page 11

What is your current role in medicine?
Head of Urology at Western Health. I was
also their Director of Surgery until April
2020. I run a private surgical practice at
Epworth Freemasons, East Melbourne
and am an Honorary Professor at the
University of Melbourne.
Why did you choose to study medicine?
Medicine looked like a reliable path to
helping people. Melbourne University had
a great reputation and I believed I would
be well trained for a range of careers. I
thought I was destined to do psychiatry.
What is the best part about your work?
I love the surgery itself probably the best,
but caring for a patient being considered
for surgery is so much more than surgery.
Working with a great team is a joy, and
operating towards a shared goal of a
great patient outcome is the driving force.
What is the hardest part about your work?
The reason we get paid well is not as
much the skill as the being available
to look after the patient through thick
and thin. Overnight calls are not easy.
Working through fatigue is also hard.
Ensuring responsibility and recreation
are balanced is really important.
Do you have any advice for others
pursuing a medical career?
Pursue your dream. Our career is a great
path to personal growth; helping others
to a better life is good. Remember to
make time and energy for your family
and friends though. I suspect a great
career is empty without them.
-
ON THE ROUND WITH
PROF HELEN O’CONNELL AO
Click here to read the
full interview, as part
of our International
Women’s Day member
prof ile series.
"Working with a great team
is a joy, and operating
towards a shared goal of
a great patient outcome
is the driving force."

VI CD O C AUTU M N 202 1
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