What influenced your career?
I was raised in Johannesburg. My father was a family doctor who worked long days and many nights doing home visits. However, I saw the passion, joy and fulfilment that his career brought him. He had an amazing relationship with his patients who would come to our house for weekend consultations. As a child I saw it as an imposition on our family but later I realised how much he cared for his patients and their families. I came to see that medicine was one of the few careers that you can really care for people in many ways and be stimulated academically.
Why did you study medicine?
My family initially discouraged me, stressing how the lifestyle of a doctor impacts so heavily on your family. I embarked on a commerce degree and as a student did volunteer work as a paramedic. I was fascinated by the physiology of the human body, and amazed by what could be done to help so many conditions. I soon decided to study medicine. After completing medical school in South Africa, I worked in an under-serviced area of the country. I gained unique medical experience however I also saw the effects of violent crime. I decided I did not want to raise a family in South Africa. Australia offered a wonderful lifestyle, similar culture and world-class specialist training so I applied for a job there ... then I never left!
Why did you specialise as an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon?
It is reasonably definitive - if there is a problem, you can perform surgery and fix it. I love using my hands and enjoy improving people's quality of life. ENT surgery is a diverse surgical specialty in which you get to meet children and adults with problems that can significantly impact on quality of life. It is varied: on any given day you can do an operation using a microscope working on tiny delicate structures in the ear; then use endoscope (keyhole telescope) for another procedure, followed by removing a lump from the neck working around structures like the carotid artery and jugular vein. It really has everything and is the most rewarding job ever.
In 2016, you joined Hunter ENT, led by Professor Kelvin Kong, the nation's first indigenous surgeon. Why did you want to be involved?
Dr Colin Reid and A/Prof Rob Eisenberg founded Hunter ENT in 2003. They wanted to bring together individual experts with diverse strengths. Professor Kong joined in 2007 bringing enormous expertise and diversity. Dr Toby Corlette then joined, adding to the breadth of knowledge. I first met Kelvin when he was a trainee in ENT and I had known Toby as a trainee. Kelvin exudes an incredible aura, he is inclusive, respectful - one of those surgeons you meet as a junior doctor and say," I want to be like him". Toby, Rob and Kelvin are all exceptionally knowledgeable, supportive colleagues who I could rely upon and trust. I felt like we could achieve so much more for the community together than as individuals.
What led to Hunter ENT launch the medical centre Konara, meaning "people gather" in Awabakal?
By 2017 there were five surgeons (Dr Johnson Huang joined after me) and we needed more space. This led to the idea of Konara, where we could provide a superior service to the community of Newcastle and the Hunter, where people could receive exceptional care with complimentary medical services. We then began discussions with NextSense, a service to the hearing impaired.
I feel strongly about using whatever resources you have and doing something for people that that have less than you
Daron Cope
What is the business model of Konara?
Our philosophy is for "people to gather". We want the patient pathway to be simple. For example, recently a young child was at Next Sense seeing an audiologist for a cochlear implant. The audiologist had concerns about an ear infection and the child came across the corridor to be assessed by me. Konara is about complimentary services working collaboratively in clinical and academic spheres, simplifying the patient pathway. It has speech therapy, head and neck physiotherapy, hearing and vision impaired services, audiology and hearing aid services.
Professor Kong has said that the professionals practising at Konara understand the importance of culture in health delivery. What is your own experience?
We come from diverse cultural backgrounds and have enormous respect for all cultures. Konara is about making every patient feel welcome, comfortable and proud of a place they receive care - this helps develop the trust that is crucial to healthcare delivery.
You have provided ENT care to residents of Kiribati. From where does your interest in under-serviced communities stem?
My early years in South Africa made me realise that there are so many people that have so little and yet are so positive. I feel strongly about using whatever resources you have and doing something for people that that have less than you. We are exceptionally lucky living in most parts of Australia, we have an amazing healthcare system. Going to Kiribati emphasises this stark contrast and maintains perspective - to be thankful for what we have.
