AMAV VICDOC SUMMER 2023 - Magazine - Page 10
NEWS + VIEWS
ENQUIRY
-
AT THE TABLE
01
What is your current
role in medicine?
I am a full-time GP
in the Melbourne CBD,
conduct research as a
Honorary Senior Research
Fellow with the Department
of General Practice,
University of Melbourne.
I’m an examiner/teacher of
medical students and an
RACGP examiner/trainer
and wear several other
‘hats’. These include being
on the RACGP Expert
Committee for Quality
Care; the President of the
Australian Federation of
Medical Women (AFMW);
Co-Chair of the Medical
Women’s International
Association (MWIA)
Scientific and Research
Subcommittee; and being
on the board of Women’s
Health Victoria.
02
Why did you choose
to study medicine?
The decision to
become a doctor was
made by me, at the age
of seven. As a young child,
I grew up in a milk bar
which was opposite my
primary school. I would
offer to clean and dress
grazed knees with Dettol
and provided tissues to
kids with runny noses.
Even as early as grade
2, I was the ‘go to’ for
injuries that occurred in
the playground. There are
no other doctors in my
family so during my teen
years, watching MASH was
hugely inspirational. I still
love watching the replays
and even Alan Alda was
impacted by his role and
set up the World of
Science Festival.
DR MAGDALENA SIMONIS
MBBS FRACGP
DRANZCOG MHHS
AMA Victoria
GP Subdivision member
03
What is the best part
about your work?
The human contact and
building relationships that
teach me about people,
life and medicine.
04
What is the hardest
part about your work?
Keeping to time. My
patients now know to call in
advance and double check
how late I am running. I
have given up on running
to time — it’s the only way
I can be present and in the
moment with my patients.