By Matthew Sims
The Federation University community came together last week to hear from two key women within the local healthcare system, as part of the university’s International Women’s Day event.
Federation University Australia partnerships and growth associate director Mikaela Power led the panel on Wednesday 6 March, which consisted of St John of God Berwick Hospital and south east Melbourne hospital general manager Lisa Norman and St John of God Berwick Hospital obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Sugandha Kumar.
Ms Power recalled her experiences growing up on a farm as a girl but never feeling defined by her gender.
“Whether you’re a boy or a girl, everybody had a go,“ she said.
Ms Power also recalled how empowering it was to have her daughter’s friends be excited for her when she became the mayor at Baw Baw Council in 2018.
“You have to see it to be it.“
Ms Norman said her mother who was working in the accounts department earned less than her father who was a mailboy within the same company.
“The best way to think about the future is to look backwards,“ she said.
“In this contemporary world, that seems outrageous.
“That’s how far we’ve come.“
Ms Norman also remembered how her father questioned paying for her to go to private school despite agreeing to pay for her older brother’s private schooling without a second though.
“Now, I’m running three hospitals,“ she said.
“Do what you love and you’ll never see it as work.“
Ms Norman said St John of God was among health organisations leading the way in reflecting the number of women in healthcare, with women making up nine out of the 11 executive positions.
“Female doctors in the early 90s were rare,“ she said.
“They had to be tough, they were breaking ground.
“To survive, we had to be tough.
“We are now free to be who we are as women in healthcare.“
Ms Norman said she was proud to carry on the legacy of the Sisters of St John of God, who founded the healthcare service more than 30 years ago.
“They challenged the status quo and found a way,“ she said.
“Men have to adapt to the changing expectations.
“Everyone has to be open to the mystery of giving something up.“
Dr Sugandha said the progress of women throughout history was the result of hard work, hardship and suffering.
“This has not been given as a gift to us,“ she said.
“It’s very easy to take our achievements for granted.“
Dr Sugandha said while there had been a number of steps taken in terms of reducing discrimination against women, she had experienced prejudice often, including patients believing that she would not be carrying out their surgery.
“It did happen and it has stayed with me,“ she said.
Dr Sugandha said she also experienced pressure from her grandfather to not have a child so as to not jeopardise her career.
“I actively sought mentors to get back into obstetrics,“ she said.
“I’m very happy to look at what has been achieved.“
The event also included a Q&A session, with questions including their experiences with the prevalence of family violence in Casey.
Ms Norman said she saw a case every week with a patient coming into the hospital system in crisis.
“Women are more prepared to talk about it,“ she said.
“Domestic violence is not something that only happens in low socioeconomic environments.“
