Newsroom

NAIDOC Week starts today, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, culture and resilience. 🖤💛❤️

Dr Adam Scott, one of our Cardiologists at RBWH, has worked hard to make sure these voices are heard throughout the hospital with a school-based art initiative that now runs across five State High Schools.

The idea was born out of a team fundraiser that raised money to purchase art supplies and canvases for the Pine Rivers State High School First Nations Art Program, creating 30 works that are now hung across the RBWH Cardiology Department.

Dr Adam said the goal was to make Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients feel safe coming into the unit.

“There are still many opportunities for growth in the health space around models of care, especially in rural and remote areas. Art is a stepping stone to bring people in the cardio department on the journey, putting health equity front and centre, everywhere we walk," he said.

“I am incredibly passionate about finding innovative solutions to complex, long-standing health challenges. The people I work with every day, both here at the Royal and across our partner facilities, make my role truly enjoyable." ...

Since 1976, Dr Barry O`Loughlin has dedicated his service to RBWH, serving as a Staff Specialist General Surgeon, Director of Surgery and then as Executive Director of Surgery and Perioperative Services for the last 20 years.

In 2021, he was formally recognised for his outstanding service by being awarded an Order of Australia for his significant contribution to medicine and medical administration.

Throughout this time, Dr Barry has made an exceptional contribution to surgery, patient care, education, and leadership, this week farewelling RBWH and the Queensland Health community.

"What I really like about Royal Brisbane and Metro North is the people, the people that work here become like a second family and I`ve probably spent close to as much time at work as I have at home," Dr Barry said.

"Really I`m just a country boy who was lucky enough to get to medical school and then even luckier to train and become a surgeon.

"I`ve never forgotten the privilege that I`ve had and the opportunities that I`ve been given, not only by my parents but also by my employers including the Royal Brisbane, Metro North and Queensland Health."

👏A massive #ShoutoutSaturday to Dr Barry, we wish him all the best for his next chapter in retirement. ...

One of our very own is set to achieve her lifelong dream this weekend when she makes her debut for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRLW! 🏉🐎

Administration Officer at Caboolture Specialist Outpatients Rhemy will be running out onto Suncorp Stadium this Saturday for her debut game against the North Queensland Cowboys.

Rhemy joined Caboolture Hospital in 2019 as a 16-year-old school-based trainee and has balanced her healthcare career with an impressive sporting journey which includes representing both Queensland and Australia in touch football and making the rugby league representative side with the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Reflecting on the moment she received the call-up, Rhemy said, "God, the feeling of being pulled up into the main squad has been a dream for me since starting footy. It’s surreal, it’s crazy and I’m just so grateful and excited."

We are incredibly proud to see one of our own achieve such an outstanding milestone and wish Rhemy every success in her NRLW debut. Congratulations, Rhemy! ...

After spending eight years as a forensic cleaner, RBWH Patient Support Officer Kathy made the career switch in September 2024 and hasn`t looked back.

"When I went and did my first deceased clean, I was quite scared, but it actually smelt really familiar; that was my passion at the time before wanting to move into a different environment," Kathy said.

She was inspired to apply after hearing work stories from one of her friends who also works as a Patient Support Officer and felt that it was the right fit for her.

"I am based in [Infectious Diseases Unit] Wattlebrae, and the Wattlebrae family just accepted me. The support network is so strong, and we are like a well-oiled machine.

"The patients in that ward often stay a long time so I am fortunate to build a good rapport with everyone, I love leaving messages of happiness and healing for the patients.

"I`ve never once had a bad day in this role, sometimes we have sad days, but I`ve never had a bad day." ...