Introducing Jane George- Director of Allied Health, Scientific and Technical at West Coast District Health Board.
What led you to pursue a career in medicine?
My first health career was as a volunteer ambulance officer, having been a cadet in high school. I was then employed to work as an ambulance officer in their communications centre, and quickly got bored on my night shifts! So I started browsing the university brochures and ultimately settled on papers that led me to my Social Work and Psychology qualifications.
What tips do you have for those just starting out in their career>
For any health professional just starting out, I would really encourage you to make friends across the different parts of health, not just your own profession or service area. Our new grads often end up flatting together and socialising outside of work. There's a bunch of evidence about the positive impact of having mates at work, and when they see the system in different ways to you, that helps you to develop a broader and less biased perspective for your own practice.
What do you do to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Living on the West Coast during the week provides loads of opportunities to get outdoors which is really important for my well-being. I also love to go tramping around New Zealand when I can with friends on weekends. I spend most other weekends in the city, and the drive across the alps at the end of each week allows me to leave any work 'worries' behind, for me to pick up again when I head back to work if I need to. This strategy has served me really well over the years.
Why do you think the Wāhine Connect programme is a valuable resource for women working in medicine?
One of the things I love about the Wāhine Connect programme is how it gives health professionals the opportunity to connect with other women and learn from each other; whether it's those with more years of experience, those new to the practice, or across different professions and disciplines, we all have something to learn and something to offer.
