The Time Out

Join us for this episode as we welcome Dr. Amanda Nikolic, a Colorectal Surgical Fellow and the 2022 recipient of the RACS John Corboy medal. Dr. Nikolic sits down with Vanessa Balo to share her journey, including her experience applying for the general surgical training program and offering invaluable tips for aspiring surgeons. Additionally, she discusses her book on preparing for the program's interview and her surgical podcast, "First Incision." Don't miss this inspiring conversation!

How is diversity and inclusion being addressed in surgery? Tune in to this episode where we speak to Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Jennifer Green. She is heavily engaged in implementing the AOA Diversity Strategy and is passionate about increasing diversity and inclusion in surgery. She has been the ACT RACS Women in Surgery Representative since 2017 and is the AOA Representative to the Diversity Council of Australia. Dr Green is also the Australian Hand Surgery Society representative on the Australian Ethical Health Care Alliance (AEHA).

In this episode we speak to Ballarat based General Surgeon Dr. Bruce Stewart, who practices Colorectal and Thoracic surgery. Dr. Stewart shares his experiences working in a regional setting and offers valuable insights on strategies to improve the retention of the surgical workforce in rural and regional Australia.

*Episode recorded in 2022*

Amidst the chaos and devastation of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Dr Johns Putra faced a life-or-death situation. A man was trapped beneath a concrete pillar and a collapsed section of a floor, bleeding and in dire need of help. Tune in to this episode where Dr. Johns Putra speaks to Vanessa Balo, sharing this remarkable story of how she and the team took swift action to save a life in the midst of a disaster.

*Episode recorded in 2022*

Dr. Lydia Johns Putra is a general urologist with a subspecialty interest in Female Urology. She serves as the Chairperson of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Training Board of Urology. Since 2009, she has been living and working in Ballarat. In 2014, she was awarded the New Zealand Bravery Decoration for her actions following the Christchurch earthquake. Additionally, she has engaged in outreach work in Madagascar with the humanitarian organization Australian Doctors for Africa.

Join us in this episode as Dr. Johns Putra chats with Vanessa about her journey in surgery, sharing the experiences and mentors that shaped her career.

*Episode recorded in 2022*

Dr Claudia Villanueva is a Peruvian Cardiothoracic SET 5 Trainee from NSW, currently training at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. She has a special interest in surgical education, as well as research into improving patient safety and increasing diversity and inclusion in surgical training. She has a Master of Surgical Education from the University of Melbourne, her thesis explored the experiences of minority trainees within the SET program. You can find her on Instagram as @thethoracicregistrar. 

Tune in to this episode of our "Road to Surgery" series where Dr Villanueva chats to Vanessa Balo, sharing tips on preparing for SET applications, along with some insider tips on preparing for GSSE!

Is being a surgeon too hectic to have other interests? “Definitely not”, says Samantha Pillay, an Urological surgeon, entrepreneur, educator, public speaker and Amazon No.1 best selling author! On this episode, Dr Pillay chats to Vanessa Balo, sharing her journey into surgery and overcoming numerous obstacles as well as her advice to students and junior doctors. Her latest children’s book, “When I'm an Astronaut: Dreaming is Believing: STEM: 3” is available on Amazon now: https://www.amazon.com.au/When-Im-Astronaut-Dreaming-Believing/dp/1922675091

Are we on the cusp of a robo-revolution in surgery? The neurosurgeon - Dr Mohammed Awad - from the Royal Melbourne Hospital - says 'not so fast'. Join The Time Out on a step forward into the future of surgery.