GP AUSTRALIA

Name: Natasha Vavrek

Hospital: Launceston General Hospital

What do your friends call you? Tash or Tashi

How old are you? 26

Where are you from originally – and where did you grow-up/go to school?
I am from Launceston and attended Larmenier Primary School and following that St Patricks College.

Are you from a “medical” background? No not at all!

Do you have brothers and sisters? Yes! Fabulous ones indeed!

What are you interests/pastimes/hobbies?
My favourite thing of all time is travel and my husband and I tend to get one or two overseas trips in a year! I am a keen advanced scuba diver and I love spending time beneath the water.  I love to cook especially with our home grown veggies and eggs that our chickens and ducks produce.

What do you think your best qualities are?
My best quality is my enthusiasm and my drive to experience the most and best out of life!

When/how did you first know or decide you wanted to study medicine?
Towards the end of Year 10 I realised that medicine encompassed my passion to work with people and it suited me and my expectations in life! A perfect career for me!

What were the influences that persuaded you to study medicine?
Myself at first and then my parents who helped encourage me and always supported me towards my decision to pursue this course.

How and why did you decide on General Practice?
I have decided to pursue General Practice because the lifestyle suits me and I have an interest in all specialities so GP gives me the opportunity to continue this interest.  I like the continuity of care and the importance of good communication.  And I love the fact that I can also easily balance a great career with a family.

What makes General Practice so special for you as a specialisation?
General Practice is so special because out of all the specialisations I feel it is the most important.  If we train good GPs then the overall care of the patient can be much improved especially in the way of preventative health and ongoing follow up care.

What do you particularly like about General Practice?
The Lifestyle!!!

Why did you decide to become a GP Ambassador?
I realised that I was already doing the job but hadn’t realised it.  I have a passion for encouraging people towards this path and I love to talk so it makes sense!

What do you think you can contribute to the Going Places Network?
Somebody who can provide information and resources to the junior doctors of Launceston.  I can provide enthusiasm, passion and commitment towards all things GP!

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about General Practice as a career move?
Consider a PGPPP rotation and give it a real go! If you are after a job that supports a normal lifestyle and a role in which you can use communication as the goal in treatment then this is the choice for you!

How do you think you can help people with questions about General Practice?
By giving them honest answers from my own experiences!

Why would you recommend people should join the Going Places Network and be involved in the activities? What do you think the benefits are?
Because you are joining a Network that contains many other members who might have the same questions and passions as you.  It can help you make decisions for your future or open up a whole new world for you.  The ultimate benefit is that the Network has been set up to help members with any questions or concern they may have and there really are dozens of people ready to help you!