“Later, living in Ramingining and working as an ambulance driver, I saw first-hand how a person’s health can change the entire trajectory of their life.
“Watching people in my own country struggle to access appropriate health care inspired me to become part of the solution.”
The path to becoming a GP has not been easy for Anna.
She faced numerous challenges, including the demanding nature of medical studies and the difficulty of balancing her education with her family life.
“Studying medicine has been a hard slog,” she admits.
“Many people warned me, but having studied engineering and then being a mum of three, I blithely thought, ‘It can’t be that hard.’ Boy, was I wrong.
“I have faced the normal challenges of information overload and tiredness, but mostly it has hard to make my study work with my family and then on top of that overcoming imposter syndrome.
“But through the support of my younger peers and some great supervisors and mentors, I have been able to thrive, seeing the strengths my life experience brings to my practice.”
Anna’s decision to pursue general practice was driven by her belief in the significant impact primary care can have on a person’s health.
“I feel the biggest gains to a person’s health can be made in general practice, and it is a privilege to be let into this vulnerable space where I can help people achieve this,” she explains.
“Resilience, creativity, compassion, and a good sense of humour are essential traits for a GP to possess.”