Women in general practice

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To mark International Women’s Day, 8 March 2020, Dr Magdalena Simonis brings the pioneers of the past to bear on the present.

When Dr Barbara Burge started her general practice training in Queensland in the 1950s, it was certainly not the typical thing for a young woman to do, as evidenced by some dubious wisdom she received at home.

Dr Margaret Hollands’ career was guided by a curious spirit that led her, not just into general practice at a time when relatively few women trained in the profession, but halfway across the world.

Maureen Cazalet was born in the city of Ahmednagar in the state of Maharashtra about 100 km northeast of Poona

Dr Cathy Morris has never thought of herself as a pioneering woman. In fact, gender was the last thing on her mind when she started her medical training back in 1964.

A role model and modest pioneer

Mary’s contributions to advancing the status of women in medicine and advocating for children are well recognised

No matter where medical training took her, Tasmania’s Dr Jane Cooper always seemed destined to ply her trade at home.

Dr Cris Beer has followed her healthcare passion in and out of the consulting room.

Dr Deborah Sambo values her patients as individuals and strives to accommodate their diverse requirements.

Dr Dasha Fielder didn’t always envision a career in general practice. She initially had a more specific speciality in mind.

Dr Solange Costermans is passionate about delivering high-quality healthcare to rural and remote communities through her work with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Dr Penny Need is passionate about the general practice profession and the people who make it such a dynamic area of healthcare.

Dr Tonia Marquardt uses her global experience to help build healthcare bridges between areas of need.

No matter where medical training took her, Tasmania’s Dr Jane Cooper always seemed destined to ply her trade at home.

Dr Sarah Beck’s work on Thursday Island has helped improve access to health services for women in the Torres Strait.

Dr Columbine Mullins has embraced the opportunities that come with owning you own practice.

The Northern Territory’s Dr Janelle Trees hopes to encourage more GPs to engage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and cultural awareness.

Medical educator Dr Cathy Milligan hopes registrars at her rural practice can develop an extensive range of skills.

As the RACGP’s new Victorian Corlis Fellow, Dr Jan Sheringham hopes to see a continually evolving general practice.

Australian GP Dr Rosalie Schultz learnt a number of valuable lessons when she travelled to West Africa to work with Ebola patients.

Dr Ashlea Broomfield has dedicated much of her time in general practice to advocating for fellow registrars

Dr Danielle Arabena is a descendant of the Meriam Mer Clan groups of the Torres Strait Islands but grew up in Brisbane in the bayside suburb of Wynnum.

Dr Kim Isaacs is from Broome in WA. She is a Noongar on her father’s side (south-west WA) and a Karajarri and Yawuru on her mother’s side (west Kimberley).

Dr Anita Watts is a Wiradjuri woman who grew up in Western Sydney. Her father’s family are from Darlington Point in the Riverina area of NSW.

Dr Olivia O’Donoghue is a descendant of the Yankunytjatjara people and the Narungga Nations people and proudly identifies as an Aboriginal woman from both of these nations.

Dr Kali Hayward is a descendant from the Warnman people of Western Australia (WA).