Exceptional stories ft. Alessandro Demaio

Dr Gareth Andrews and Dr Richard Stephenson are about to do the longest-ever unsupported ski crossing of Antarctica, via the South Pole by an Australian and New Zealand. The trek is 2023 kilometres, and they will be collecting climate data along the way. Dr Sam Hazledine caught up with them to discuss their journey for the future of our planet and finding the balance between their passions and medicine. **Please be aware the sound recording is not the best quality (It almost sounds like the boys are already on their way to the South Pole), but we wanted to share it because it is such an important story. You can also read the article here.

Dr Carmen Basu is the founder of Milk and Honey Paediatrics, and a paediatrician who disillusioned with her ability to innovate in the public health system has pioneered a new way of approaching life in the first 1000 days. Dr Sam Hazledine caught up with her on his Better Together podcast to find out about her new venture and discuss the flaws in our current system that inspired her new way of thinking.

Dr Danielle Jones also known as Mama Doctor Jones is an American (OB/GYN) (now New Zealand-based) doctor influencer. Across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter she has more than 2 million followers. With the recent decision in the US to overturn Roe V. Wade we thought that as a former US doctor who practiced in the state of Texas, and gynaecologist, it was important to get Dr Jones back onto the Better Together with Dr Sam Hazledine to discuss this decision and what it means for women in the US, and what doctors can do to help.

Dr Tahnee Bridson is the 2022 Queensland Young Australian of the year, founder of Hand-n-Hand Peer Support, and a Psychiatry Registrar. Dr Sam Hazledine caught up with her on his Better Together podcast to discuss the journey behind setting up Hand-n-Hand Peer Support, and what needs to change within the profession.

Dr MeiLan Han, MD MS, is a Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at the University of Michigan. in 2021, she published Breathing Lessons: A Doctors Guide to Lung Health. Dr Sam Hazledine caught up with her on his Better Together podcast to discuss the notion of ideas as gifts.

Dr Angela Lim is the CEO & Founder of Clearhead, finalist in the Science and Innovation category Women of Influence New Zealand Awards 2021, 2017 finalist for Young New Zealander of the Year, and a peadiatric doctor. She is breaking new ground in the industry by employing artificial intelligence to transform the way people access healthcare. Dr Sam Hazledine caught up with Dr Angela Lim on his Better Together podcast to discuss technology and innovation and the role it plays in shaping the future of medicine.

Dr Danielle Jones also known as Mama Doctor Jones is an American (OB/GYN) and doctor influencer. Across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter she has more than 2 million followers. In this amusing and informative episode of the Better Together podcast, Dr Sam Hazledine finds out how Jones has built such a large and loyal following and uncovers the steps for other doctors looking to create a platform.

Dr Rolf Gomes remortgaged his home to start Heart of Australia, now, 400 lives have been saved. He is Queensland nominee for Australian of the year 2021, he also holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Melbourne, and he is the Founding Father of Heart of Australia. Dr Sam Hazledine caught up with Dr Gomes to find out what drives him, what prompted this innovation, and how he takes care of himself while he is doing so much.

Mum, practising doctor and founder of Well-Revolution, Sasha is passionate about democratising health care, making it easier to access, and super convenient. She believes that people should be in charge of their health, their data and their stories and health care should cater for this in all ways.

Surgeon, blindness prevention pioneer and Australian of the year - Dr James Muecke has quite the story! Not just restoring sight and preventing blindess, his volunatry effors are saving lives and alleviating poverty in eight of the poorest countries in the world.

Dr Chambers discusses her research into gender bias in medicine, and why senior women doctors are burning out a quicker rate than the male counterparts.

Dr Johanna Ward has led a rather unconventional medial career. Dr Sam explores what it takes to create a business in medicine, and what preventative strategies can be put in place to avoid doctor burnout.

At just 21 years old, he founded Zambreros – a Mexican restaurant that donates meals to people in developing countries. He then founded One Disease a non-profit organisation that aims to eliminate Crusted Scabies from remote Indigenous communities in Australia and was awarded Young Australian of the Year 2012, Australian Capital Territory in recognition of his work.

New Zealand’s only medically certified hypnotherapist, Dr Patrick McCarthy, is the author of two books; Relax, Say Goodbye to Anxiety and Panic and Quit, Say Goodbye to Smoking.

Like many in the medical profession, Dr. Juviraj Arulanandarajah has suffered from burnout. After recognizing the symptoms (and with a little help from family and friends), he found ways of managing stress and regained his love of being a doctor.

Dr Robin Youngson is an anaesthetic specialist, author and speaker based in New Zealand. The corruption and abuses he experienced in his early years of practise motivated him to fight for patient rights and change the system.

Professor Fiona Wood is one of Australia’s most innovative and respected surgeons and researchers. She has pioneered research and technology development in burns medicine and is renowned for the development of spray on skin.

When she was just seven years old, Matire Harwood’s grandfather told her she would become a doctor. She is now widely recognised for her contribution to Māori health and research into health inequities between indigenous and non-indigenous people.

Medworld’s Dr Sam Hazledine interviewed Michael to get a better understanding of his somewhat controversial, but interesting ideas on how the medical system works. Michael believes care and compassion should be put back at the heart of what we do – instead of the economically-driven system we have now.

Tash is a Paediatric Registrar at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. Like many, Tash found the long hours working in stressful and unsupported roles as a junior doctor difficult. At breaking point, Tash decided to take a year off to locum and re-discover her passion for medicine. Listen to her exceptional story here.

Director of Fit for Work and former President of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, David Beaumont is a passionate advocate of occupational health. Fit for Work assists people across New Zealand get back into work after injury and illness. in this interview, David discusses what doctors and the industry can do to support doctors’ health and wellbeing.

Professor Diego De Leo is one of the world’s leading researchers in suicide and suicide prevention. He was the Director of the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP) from 1997-2015, is a past president of the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the International Academy for Suicide Research.

Gareth knows that being a doctor can be as challenging as it is rewarding, and he believes it’s important for all doctors to find a passion that goes beyond the workplace in order to stay fresh when it matters most. He believes his passion for polar expeditions has made him a better doctor.

In his pro bono work, Dr Demaio co-founded NCDFREE, a global social movement against noncommunicable diseases using social media, short film, and leadership events – reaching more than 2.5 million people in its first 18 months. Then, in 2015, he founded festival21, assembling and leading a team of knowledge leaders in staging a massive and unprecedented, free celebration of community, food, culture, and future in his hometown Melbourne.