Meet Samantha

Where do you work in Sydney Local Health District?

I work clinically at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and across the District in my non-clinical role with MDOK, our staff wellbeing program.

What do you do?

I’m a senior staff specialist in the Emergency Department at RPA (part time) and a Deputy Director of MDOK. My focus with MDOK is on leadership and human factors.

Why do you do what you do?

I love emergency medicine, especially working in a multi-disciplinary team to resuscitate the seriously injured or unwell. From a clinical perspective I love the challenge of resuscitation and the teamwork that has to happen for us to be effective. If we do it well, we can give that person the best chance of doing well, going back to their family and to what they love doing. We are really lucky to have an amazing team in our Emergency Department with excellent leadership which makes us able to weather the everyday challenges. 

It's a privilege to see humanity at its best and worst. The ability to make the system work for the patient and to provide compassionate care when someone is scared and vulnerable is very rewarding. I do love the rawness of emergency medicine and the ‘real life’ aspect of it. 

As a Deputy Director of MDOK, I am privileged to work with an incredible team committed to making the District a better place to work for doctors and for all staff.  

Outside Sydney Local Health District, I work as a retrieval specialist and State Retrieval Consultant for CareFlight and NSW Ambulance. Leadership skills, and excellence in knowledge and application of human factors, are what keep us safe in potentially hazardous environments in those roles. I aim to bring those skills and knowledge across to our healthcare teams to improve how we lead, work as teams and deliver people-centred care for our staff and our patients. 

What’s the best thing about your workplace?

Definitely our teams!

What’s the nicest thing a colleague has ever done for you?

So many things come to mind! If I had to pick one, it would be when my daughter was struggling a few years ago, and I needed the support of my colleagues. Once I told them what was happening, they were incredibly generous in picking up what I couldn’t do and gave me the support to focus on my daughter. I’ll never forget that and will pay it forward.

What inspired you to join the People Matter Committee?

I really respect the intent of this committee – to listen to those at the coalface so that we can work more collaboratively with the Executive. This is a great opportunity to break down barriers and to ensure that ‘work as imagined = work as done’.  If we can work cohesively, we will care for our staff and our patients better.