The enviable lifestyle we often take for granted was a big drawcard for the newest member of our Obstetrics and Gynaecology team, Dr Wojciech Szubert.
Dr Szubert, who is originally from Poland, relocated from the UK to Mackay with his wife and two children late last year.
“My wife and I, when we were in university, travelled through the southern states of the USA,” Dr Szubert said.
“We always had a dream of living in a subtropical or tropical climate.
“If you can imagine, we had to spend hard-earned money to go on holidays to lay in the sun for just a week and a half.
“And here you just have it at your doorstep every single day free of charge.”
After completing his medical degree in Poland, Dr Szubert moved to Scotland for further training.
“I did my foundation training, then worked in Accident and Emergency, then tried Obstetrics and Gynaecology and I loved it,” Dr Szubert said.
“I have been working in O&G now since 2010.”
Dr Szubert’s special area of interest is treatment of endometriosis (a disease where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body) and chronic pelvic pain.
“I completed a research degree on chronic pelvic pain at the University of Edinburgh, and then I completed another fellowship in Norwich learning complex endometriosis surgery.” Dr Szubert said.
Dr Szubert hopes to establish an endometriosis multidisciplinary team at Mackay Base Hospital who can work together on management of complex cases.
“Approximately one in 10 women have endometriosis, and about one in 100 will have severe endometriosis,” he said.
“We’re all still learning about endometriosis and its management, but we are miles further forward from where we were 10 years ago.
“We have a great team here at the Mackay Base Hospital and I’m confident we will soon advance treatment options for our patients.”
NOTE: Mackay HHS will hold an event to raise awareness and understanding of the disease on March 15 during Endometriosis Awareness Month. Women and girls wanting more information about the condition are invited to attend. It’s on at Mackay Base Hospital from 9am to 3pm in the alcove across from the Medical Imaging unit.
