PEOPLE WHO SHAPED SMA WHAT WERE SOME OF THE MAJOR DECISIONS YOU A MOMENT the training pathway for doctors to HELPED MAKE OR CHANGES become sport and exercise physicians. YOU IMPLEMENTED WHILE WITH GRACEIn recent years, we have been AT SMA? recognised as medical specialists. I was a member of the women in As one of the first female doctors sport committee and author of SMA’s What has been your career highlight? working in sports, I think I contributed guidelines for participation of pregnant to our recognition, especially in football athletes. This was the beginning of Being on the side of the pool when the and major events such as the Olympics understanding that exercise is OK Australian women’s water polo team and Commonwealth Games. It was an when pregnant. These guidelines went won the inaugural gold medal at the eye opener for both sides in 1991 when on to be adopted in a number of sports. Sydney Olympics 2000. Another I served as the Chief Medical Officer for It may seem surprising now, but at the highlight was being courtside when the Sydney Swans AFL club. In the early time, members at my old discipline of the Australian netball team won the days, there was a myth that women O & G were very conservative about 1991 World Championship in Sydney – would not cope with the pressure of pregnant athletes. both with winning goals in the final these types of roles. seconds. HOW DID BEING PART OF SMA What is your advice to those starting HELP YOU IN YOUR CAREER? It was also a great honour to receive out in their career? the Medal of the Order of Australia and The multi-disciplinary nature of SMA recently, to be inducted into the Sports It is a very rewarding field of medicine resulted in meeting with many fantastic Australia Hall of Fame for recognition to be involved in but be prepared to people in other fields with similar of my work in sports medicine work nights and weekends. Though, interests. Sports medicine and sport all going well, you usually have some science today, is very different to my Do you have any career regrets? of the best seats in the house. early days in the 80s. It has been a period No. Would do it all again. of development with evolution from SMA Seriously, it is an honour to be part of the different highly regarded disciplines Why are you passionate about sports of the ‘back room’ that makes an – sports dietitians, sports podiatry, sports medicine? How can you not be! athlete’s performance possible and physiotherapists, sports scientists and helping them achieve their success. sport and exercise physicians/sports What do you believe is your most The athletes, your patients, are usually doctors. I’ve met and developed so important contribution to your motivated to follow through with the many friendships. Prof Peerce Russo, industry? advice you give. I would advise any Dr Hugh Hazard, Prof John Sutton, young doctor in sport that it is Jenny McConnell, Dr Peter Fricker, Being part of the group that founded, important remain professional and Prof Richard Telford, Dr Helen O’Conner, as it is now known, the Australasian not become not too much of a fan. Prof John Orchard and so many others. College of Sport and Exercise Remember, you are there for your Physicians (ACSEP). The College has patient to push the envelope, but evolved and is now acknowledged as do not break it. 56 VOLUME 36 • ISSUE 3 2018