Staff Specialist Medicine Dr Joel Iedema first walked through Redland Hospital's doors in 2001 as a medical student and has since returned in many roles as an intern, registrar, and consultant.
His student placement more than two decades ago led to a lasting connection with the hospital and the Redlands community.
Dr Iedema, an endocrinologist and clinical pharmacologist with an interest in health economics, said he thought he would stay a few years and move on.
“I've stayed, in part, because it is a great place to work, but I also quickly realised the perception that there are more opportunities in large, tertiary hospitals is wrong.
“In many ways I've had far more opportunities to do interesting things by working at Bayside Health Service.
“Also, the Redlands is a great place to live and working closer to home is a strong, and underappreciated, contributor to job satisfaction," Dr Iedema said. “The staff are respectful and helpful and the patients are appreciative.”
Having held numerous leadership and advisory roles, including chairing the Queensland Health Medicines Advisory Committee and co-chairing the Metro South Health Medicines Management Committee, Dr Iedema is currently involved in the launch of a new Anticoagulation Stewardship Service at Metro South Health.
“It’s still early days, but it’s a chance to improve how we use anticoagulants and reduce harm, which could make a significant difference for our patients,” he said.
And his advice for junior doctors? "Stay open-minded. Don’t lock yourself in too early.
“Think about what kind of work excites you, but also where you want to live and who you want to work with,” he said.
“And remember to find interest in the everyday, because that’s where most of your career will be spent.”
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