UN doctor among inspiring female keynotes at RMA18: Women in Health a key theme at conference

One of the United Nations' most senior doctors has been announced as a keynote speaker at this year's Rural Medicine Australia (RMA18) conference, to be held in Darwin in October.

Australian doctor, Dr Jillann Farmer, was appointed Medical Director of the United Nations' Medical Services Division in 2012, a role in which she supports United Nations health personnel around the globe.

She will join other inspiring health sector leaders at RMA18, the peak annual conference for rural doctors, co-hosted by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA).

"It is incredibly exciting to have Dr Farmer speak at our conference" ACRRM President, Associate Professor Ruth Stewart, said.

“She is a born and bred Queensland rural doctor, who undertook her medical studies through a bonded scholarship with Queensland Health.

“Her career in Australia included roles with Queensland Health, the Medical Board of Queensland, and Medicare Australia, and also included time as Director of Medical Services of the Caboolture Hospital.

“In her current role, she has overarching responsibility for the care of UN health services staff dispersed in sometimes difficult and dangerous locations.

"In 2014, she led the UN's health services response for staff serving in the Ebola Outbreak area.

“Her career in medicine has taken her across the globe, and her keynote address at RMA18 will be fascinating for all delegates. She is a great role model."

RDAA President, Dr Adam Coltzau, said Dr Farmer's keynote address would be the 'icing on the cake' for what promises to be a diverse, appealing and informative conference.

"One of our key streams at RMA18 will be Women in Health, which will feature a broad range of presentations from the perspective of both doctors and patients" he said.

“Female doctors provide an extremely valuable service in the bush and are highly regarded by their patients.

"With a rapidly growing cohort of female rural doctors in Australia, addressing barriers and issues relating to their role, and ensuring our workplaces and medical training systems are female-friendly, is critical.

“Our Women in Health stream at RMA18 will cover workforce topics like gender bias, bullying and harassment, and the importance of ensuring self-care and developing a work-life balance.

“We will also be focussing on key health issues for female patients, including the provision of maternity services in rural areas, which is an increasingly hot topic for rural communities at the moment.

“This year's program will continue the long tradition at Rural Medicine Australia of focusing on practical issues that are directly relevant to rural and remote doctors.

"With clinical workshops available both pre and post-conference, RMA18 will again be the best and most valuable conference a rural doctor can attend."

Registrations for RMA18 are now open.

More information on RMA18 can be found at www.ruralmedicineaustralia.com.au