People In Health Care
Dr Marina Berbic
Genetic Pathologist and Deputy Director of Genetics
Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology
Dr Marina Berbic is a genetic pathologist and the Deputy Director of Genetics at Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology – a laboratory based in Sydney and part of Sonic Healthcare. The genetics department at Douglass Hanly Moir offers a wider array of genetic tests across many domains, and the medical leadership model ensures the highest possible standard of care and commitment to patient safety.
Australian Health Journal spoke to Dr Berbic about her career and being a genetic pathologist. She started as a junior doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology after completing a medical degree, though never thought about specialising in pathology. The more she learned about genetic pathology, the more intrigued she became, realising that this specialty aligned with both her strengths and interests.
Dr Berbic has always been interested in science, technology, and innovation. She first studied for a Bachelor of Medical Science degree, followed by a Master’s in Reproductive Health and Human Genetics and then a PhD in Reproductive Medicine. Dr Berbic has long-standing academic interests, both from a research and teaching perspective. She continues to be involved in medical education at the University of New South Wales in her role as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer.
After completing her specialist training and attaining fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, she commenced her role as a genetic pathologist at Douglass Hanly Moir and later became the Deputy Director of Genetics department. Her role involves providing clinical governance and medical leadership that governs all aspects of medical testing in genetics.
In this interview, Dr Berbic talks about the exciting area of genetic pathology impacting multiple areas of medicine including paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, cardiology, neurology, oncology, and other fields.
The results of genetic testing have a potential impact on the patient’s diagnosis, the decisions that couples may take when they’re making reproductive decisions, and also have predictive implications. The testing results may influence therapy, selection, or patient management and may have far ranging impact on the individual as well as their family.
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Global collaboration in pulmonary fibrosis research
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. The debilitating and fatal disease ended the life of an Australian man 8 years ago.
His son led philanthropic efforts to establish the connection between 2 Australian organisations; Lung Foundation Australia and Centre for Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis and the US based, Three Lakes Foundation. The three organisations recently announced a collaboration to create a global network for PF research.
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Delivering anaesthetic services to countries where surgical services can’t be provided
Dr Wendy Falloon is an Anaesthetist of over 30 years experience and a Fellow of Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA). She studied medicine at the University of Tasmania, and worked in Hobart, Sydney and the Uk while completing her specialist qualifications. Her primary professional focus has always been to deliver the best possible experience of anaesthesia to each and every patient, and for them to know that she sees and values them, and their stories.
Having been born in Africa, she realised even as a child that health and wealth were largely a product of where people happen to be born. This sowed the seed of her ongoing desire to be of help to others in less fortunate circumstances, ultimately leading to her volunteer work with the Mercy Ships charity. This is one of the most fulfilling aspects of her career, and she has volunteered in Africa with Mercy Ships 8 times since 2014.
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The world of AI avatars in dementia care
Dementia care is one of the critical issues facing the aged care industry. About 500,000 Australians currently live with the brain disorder condition, and this is tipped to rise to 1.1 million in a generation.
How to effectively provide quality care for people living with dementia was a key element of the royal commission into aged care, which found the complex care required was an ongoing challenge for the industry.
