Dr Marita Long
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey into medicine?
I’ve had a somewhat non-traditional journey into medicine. After finishing school, I trained as a nurse at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Victoria. In 1994, I moved to Tasmania with my husband and two children and later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Family, Child and Youth Health at the University of Tasmania. I loved both studying and working in the field. After my third baby – perhaps in a breastfeeding haze – I decided to return to university to study medicine. Six years of undergraduate training and three years as a junior hospital doctor later, I found my home in general practice. As a nurse I wanted deeper medical knowledge; as a hospital doctor I wanted deeper patient relationships. General practice gives me both.
As a GP, what do you find most rewarding? What continues to motivate you?
There are so many positives in general practice. The most rewarding aspect is the privilege of providing comprehensive and continuous care across a patient’s lifespan. Preventive care is particularly meaningful: Empowering patients with knowledge and health literacy – to reduce their risk of chronic disease and maintain independence – aligns closely with my interests. I’m motivated by the diversity of presentations, the intellectual challenge, and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in everyday lives. I also value partnering with organisations committed to both strengthening our profession and improving the health of our communities.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally and professionally?
International Women’s Day is both a moment of reflection and a call to action. Personally, it’s a time to consider the many roles I hold – woman, mother, partner, grandmother, sister, daughter, friend, and doctor – and the privilege that comes with them. Professionally, it highlights both the extraordinary contributions of women in medicine and the inequities that still persist. As GPs working at the coalface – whether in clinical care, education, research, or advocacy – we all get to chip away at those gaps. Returning to study medicine with three young children was an opportunity that came at a cost, and I’ve always felt a responsibility to make it count.
What message would you like to share with other women GPs this International Women’s Day?
Your work matters. The relational, preventive and holistic care you provide shapes families and communities in ways that are often unseen but profoundly important. Back yourself and recognise your leadership – whether in your consulting room, your practice, medical education, or policy advocacy. Support one another and seek mentors. Advocate for flexibility and sustainability across the different stages of life and career. We know equity doesn’t happen by accident; it requires persistence and collective effort. This International Women’s Day, celebrate how far we’ve come, acknowledge the work still to do, and remember that your voice and expertise are essential to the future of general practice.