A bright future

AS Geelong’s population grows, there is increased demand for quality healthcare services. Despite women making up most of Australia’s health workforce, they remain underrepresented in leadership and higher-paying roles.

Many women report experiencing gender bias in diagnosis and treatment, with some feeling their symptoms or pain are dismissed.

GMHBA’s Health and Branch Network is led by chief operating officer Natalie Lanarus, with a leadership and clinical team that includes several highly qualified women.

The organisation’s two health hubs in Belmont and Geelong are managed by practice managers Tania Dalton and Priscilla Newey, who lead teams providing allied health services to support members and patients.

Tania, with GMHBA for eight years, said the organisation offers opportunities to everyone, with many women in significant leadership roles to inspire younger women.

“It shows them they can achieve with the right guidance and determination,” she said, noting that professional development courses are available to all staff.

Tania said she worked hard to lead by example, offering encouragement, giving compliments and simply being kind to others.

“Empowering one another helps build a strong, positive culture that has a lasting, uplifting impact on the workplace,” she said.

Priscilla, with GMHBA for seven years, said an inclusive and supportive workplace involves promoting open communication, diversity and equal opportunities.

She noted there had been a big shift in the people attracted to working in the dental industry over the past decade.

“In the dental industry, female dentists were once rare but are now much more common. This trend is mirrored across other healthcare fields,” she said.

She said the future is bright for women looking to work in healthcare, with more entering specialised and high-tech medical fields, prompting a shift in healthcare delivery and patient care approaches.

“To support this, I’ve noticed a push for greater workplace flexibility, improved parental leave policies, with mentorship programs likely to retain and advance women in the industry,” she said.

GMHBA’s focus on employing women across all areas can lead to better outcomes for female patients. Tania explains that having female providers gives patients the confidence to tackle sensitive and sometimes challenging issues like contraception and cervical screening.

Priscilla added that women could seek specialised treatment at the hubs.

“Across our hubs we are fortunate to have a great mix of both male and female, dentists, optometrists and physiotherapists,” she said.

“Excitingly, at our Geelong hub, our physio team has recently launched a brand-new lymphoedema service, commonly needed for women who have experienced breast cancer.”

The Belmont and Geelong hubs offer a full suite of health services including dental, eye care, physiotherapy, private health insurance and medical services.

Both facilities are open to the whole community, not just GMHBA members, improving access to health and wellbeing services for the Geelong community.

For more information, head to gmhba.com.au