Bass Coast Health (BCH) is acknowledging the contribution of women to public healthcare on International Women’s Day on 8 March 2025.
With the day’s theme being around creating a more gender equal world and accelerating action for doing so, four BCH staff talk about why healthcare is a rewarding career for women, their advice for young women in life and their career mentors.
Dr Carmen Brown, Clinical Director Women’s Health
“Healthcare is a rewarding career for anyone, regardless of gender, age, race or ethnicity. That’s what is so wonderful about taking care of others.
“To young women about to venture out in life, don’t fall in the trap of thinking you must do everything to be successful. You will run yourself ragged trying to achieve the unattainable. Realistically, there are only 24 hours in a day. What you can do is prioritise what is important for you. You can be good at a lot of different things but you can choose where to focus your energy.
“I’ve had several mentors at different stages through my career. My inspiration for becoming an obstetrician/gynaecologist was the woman who delivered me! She literally pulled me out!
“Dr Juel Pate Borders was a dynamic and beautiful professional who showed me how rewarding a career in Women’s Health could be. What made her truly amazing is her activity in our community. Not only was she a great doctor but she was active in the community which inspired me more.”
Trina Coxon, Learning and Development Co-Manager
“Healthcare is a rewarding career for women because it offers endless opportunities for career progression, agility and flexibility.
“For young women, I would suggest they actively seek guidance and support and take all opportunities that are offered.
“I have been fortunate to have many mentors throughout my career, the first being the Clinical Nurse Educator in the Emergency Department during my graduate year. I was in awe of the amount of knowledge and expertise they had but mostly they reminded me that we are all learning. We are all beginners at various stages of our careers.”
Cat Bunn, Nurse Unit Manager, Emergency Department
“Healthcare is a field where passion meets purpose, offering the opportunity to drive meaningful change. While it can be extremely challenging at times, the rewards are immense. Over time, I've come to learn that with determination and sometimes a great deal of patience, you can achieve the goals you've set for yourself.
“In healthcare, there are countless ways to make an impact, and each individual contributes their unique perspective and innovative ideas. The diversity of roles and approaches makes healthcare an inspiring and fulfilling career for those who are dedicated to making a difference.
“My advice to young women is to empower yourself to advocate for your beliefs and your needs. Life can be unpredictable, filled with challenges and emotional ups and downs, but you have the ability to create the life you envisage.
“The person I am today is deeply influenced by my incredible mother, whose resilience and success have inspired me in ways I can’t fully put into words. I’ve also had the privilege of being mentored by a range of professionals, including strong, dedicated, and passionate CEOs, Operations Directors and Nurse Unit Managers.
“My mentors are inspirational because they show qualities of resilience, dedication and unwavering passion in what they do. They lead by example, teaching me the importance of staying true to one’s values while adapting to challenges with confidence and determination.”
Indyana Asbury, Executive Assistant
“Healthcare is a rewarding career for women as it offers women an opportunity to make a positive impact within the community. These opportunities can encourage women to advocate for better patient care, work on public health initiatives or lead movements for more inclusive and equitable healthcare policies. This can also complement personal growth for women within their careers and allows them to continually expand their skills throughout their working life.
“My advice to young women would be to always stand up for yourself and to always advocate for what you deserve – whether it’s respect, fair pay or equal opportunity. The more we encourage younger women to stand up for themselves, the more they can pave the way for other women to do it too.
“My career and life mentor is my mum. She’s always shown dedication and commitment to her work within the healthcare sector, which means she has always served as a role model for me and showed me the importance of hard work, perseverance and making a difference in others’ lives. She has also always been a powerful advocate for better care and have used her previous experiences to lead with empathy and drive positive change.”