There are teams of champions and then there are championship teams.
The team of doctors at Casey this year has been a team of champions, with Dr Paddy Owens and Dr David Rigg keeping the clinic running swimmingly over summer, and Dr Liv Grover-Johnson looking after the Traverse, and Dr Kate Kloza taking care of the Denman Terrestrial Campaign. This all-star cast of very experienced doctors has kept everyone safe and well at Casey.
I’m most excited to be the proud resident of a state-of-the-art remote medical facility, equipped to perform delicate surgery, dental treatment and treat all emergencies in addition to a full general practice. High-tech digital health with bedside lab systems providing instant results, round out the well-planned and well-stocked clinic. The Polar Medicine Unit at the Australian Antarctic Division do an incredible job of keeping up with emerging technology and providing the finest care at the furthest corner of the world.
Although I’m now the sole doctor, I’ve got plenty of help as the Australian Antarctic Division trains expeditioners with no medical background to become lay surgical assistants. Mike Hartmann, Haydn Da Silva, Scott Newman and Dane Eden have upskilled in medical knowledge, procedures and processes so they can be on hand to help when needed. Their calm confidence and ability to take the knowledge they have learnt and apply it easily is inspiring.
When I arrived, I had to hit the ground running with little time to spare. I found a clean bedroom made up for me, with fresh sheets on the bed and chocolates on the pillow. These little touches, along with the incredible food of chef Nick Baker, help me to know that the Casey 2025 winter team is going to take just as much care of me as I will of them - a championship team.
Dr Meg O'Connell - station doctor
