The Mackay community owes a debt of gratitude to Dr Chandika Wasalthilaka. Almost two years ago, when other doctors were suspended and a review into the Mackay Base Hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) services was announced, the burden of responsibility to keep the service going fell on his shoulders.  “I can still remember the day…. [Read More]

Raj Vaidya did not need to look far for inspiration on what medical pathway to pursue. The JCU final year medical student wants to follow in the footsteps of his father Dr Shanti Vaidya, who is a senior interventional cardiologist in Mackay, working at both the Mackay Base and Mater Hospitals. “My father is extremely… [Read More]

Mackay Base Hospital is anticipating the return of obstetrics and gynaecology specialist trainees in 2024. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) has advised the health service that trainees in their third or fourth year of Basic training are now going to be able to rotate through Mackay Base Hospital…. [Read More]

When Dionne Penny attended our Mackay Hospital and Health Service awards event recently to receive her 25-year service badge, she was not expecting any other accolades. However Mackay mum Amy Forrester wanted to see the nurse her family has come to rely on get the recognition she deserves. She nominated Dionne, a clinical nurse who… [Read More]

Graham Pasternak first scrubbed up to assist during surgery at the tender age of nine. His father, a doctor, had decided to spend six months working on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu. “My parents are usually quite conservative, in terms of risk-taking, but they decided last minute – ‘let’s go to Vanuatu for six… [Read More]