You are gorgeous
More than 160 guests came together early on 22 July at the Victoria Park Golf Complex in Brisbane for the inaugural AMA Queensland ‘Women in Medicine’ Breakfast. Guest Speaker Dr Sally Cockburn entertained and connected with guests on a very personal level, addressing the theme, ‘Looking after you’.

Keynote Speaker: Dr Sally Cockburn
When addressing the ‘Women in Medicine’ breakfast, Dr Cockburn asked guests, largely doctors, whether they have a GP of their own. She stressed that a doctor who has herself as a GP is ‘an ass’, and asked quite seriously, “Who is looking after you?”

Dr Cockburn generously shared her own experience as a working single mother with a strong career focus. This responsibility came with a general lack of concern for her own health, resulting in a diagnosis of diabetes and forcing her to re-think her priorities.

Dr Cockburn imparted the following key messages to breakfast guests:
· Do not try to spin too many plates just because you feel you should.
· It’s quite acceptable to pack some of those ‘plates’ away.
· Feel good about what you achieve every day.
· Stop continually imposing greater expectations on yourself.
· Don’t get rid of your hobbies.
· Love yourself – you are gorgeous.

Panel discussion
Further valuable discussion took place when the professional panel took the stage. Dr Cockburn was joined by:
Dr Edwina Duhig, President of the Queensland Medical Women’s Society, AMA Queensland Branch Council member, and the Director of the Department of Anatomical Pathology at The Prince Charles Hospital.
Dr Kirsten Price, GP, former AMA Queensland Branch Council member and currently a full-time medical administration registrar-in-training.
Siobhan Dooley, Director of Sequel Communications, with expertise in media relations, communications, marketing and crisis management communication.
Desley Fricke, State President of the Australian Association of Practice Managers (AAPM), and manager of Northside Endoscopy Services. 

Some of the key points which arose from the panel discussion included:
· Paying for help with your house and children if necessary – don’t try to do it all.
· There are plenty of media opportunities available to medical professionals: don’t be afraid to grab them, as they give you an opportunity to spread valuable information and raise awareness.
· Involvement in industry bodies such as AMA Queensland can offer enormous personal and professional growth.
· AMA Queensland’s Kids’ GP campaign offers doctors meaningful opportunities to be involved in a worthwhile community project
· AMA Queensland offers professional support to women in medicine who may need access to industrial and legal advice, advocacy and support.

AMA Queensland takes this opportunity to sincerely thank Dr Sally Cockburn, panel and breakfast guests, and sponsors for making the morning such a resounding success. We look forward to our next ‘Women in Medicine’ event.

Some sites you may find useful from the breakfast are:
AMA Queensland:
Australian Federation of Medical Women
Supporting Women in Medicine
Kids GP
Dr Sally Cockburn
AMA Queensland Insurance Service
VMO, Virtual Medical Office
The Doctors' Health Fund
Arbonne