Nationality?
Australian
Current Position?
Registered Nurse – Emergency NurseWest (travelling this year)
Medical Background
Education and work experience?
2014 Bachelor of Nursing – University of Notre Dame
2019 Rural and remote isolated practice nurse endorsement – Cunningham Centre (Remote Area Nurse Qualification)
2020 Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion – Sunshine Coast University
2021 in progress Doctor of Medicine – University of Notre Dame (year of absence 2024, to graduate in 2025)
Fiona Stanley Hospital ED 2015-2016
Army Nurse Clinical ED/primary health/ education and officer duties 2017-2020 with deployments to Timor, Kenya, and Iraq.
WACHS Derby School Nurse and Remote Area Nurse 2020
Casual ED nurse/medical student 2021-current. (Perth ED shifts and rural ED work in Albany and Busselton).
Previous Volunteer Work
2017 – Triloka Clinic (Happy Crocodile Foundation) in Timor for 6 weeks while on call for the military. Delivered primary healthcare and mentorship alongside Timorese nurses with a health promotion campaign focused on eradicating scabies through a mass drug administration drive.
Medical interests?
Emergency and primary health with a focus on preventative programs. Currently studying medicine and expect to graduate in 2025.
Surfing Background
Local surf spot?
Coolangatta, QLD and various in WA.
What is your favourite surf destination?
Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka
Travel experience?
Extensive. Currently taking a year of travel- 6 months in South America, 1 month in Central America, and 3 months in Europe this year.
I also love Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Tell us about your best surf trip ever.
A week in Newcastle with the army surf crew, a house of 6 women dedicated to learning and helping each other improve. It was an amazing vibe, great waves and a group of girls surfing multiple times daily.
Tell us about your worst surf trip ever.
A failed surf trip to Guatemala too far into the shoulder season. I lined up to stay at a surf school in El Paredon, and the ocean was the roughest I had ever seen. Medical waste was on the beach, and even the locals stopped surfing due to the storms. It failed for surfing, but it was a win for cups of tea and reading books waiting out the storms. The theme song to our trip was “Die Another Day” by Madonna.
Surfing Information
What is the worst surf injury you have ever had to treat?
Nothing major; sutures to an ankle after a fin wound come to mind.
The best thing about surfing?
The vibes and the people with whom I have enjoyed it.
What was the best advice you have ever received regarding surfing?
The best surfer on the day is the one having the most fun. Never take it too seriously.
Favourite surfer in the world and why?
Bethany Hamilton is an absolute legend for coming back to elite surfing after losing her arm to a shark attack. I read her biography as a child and have been inspired by her from a young age.
Current go-to surfboards? (make and dims)
My mini-mal 7ft x 22 x 2 3/4
Any other information you would like to add about yourself
I am not the best surfer by skill standards, but I love being out on the water. I am keen to join the Surfing Doctors, especially volunteering at Friends Of Nias this year.
Read More : Meet The Crew – Jim Goodworth