GARY LEUNG (CGS 2006) CONSULTANT ANAESTHETIST

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECTS OF BEING A CONSULTANT ANAESTHETIST?

Sometimes, you must work in an extremely highpressure situation where the responsibility for a patient’s safety lies solely on your shoulders. Anaesthesia in Australia is very safe, and rare for anything to go majorly wrong, so if something like that does happen, it is the anaesthetist’s responsibility to be prepared to manage that situation, even though they may only see it once in their career.

HOW DID YOUR TIME AT CGS SHAPE YOUR PATH TOWARD A CAREER IN HEALTHCARE?

Firstly, there was a multitude of amazing teachers who constantly challenged me to perform at my best. My classmates were also always a constant source of encouragement and support. Another important factor was the importance of the school sergeant role when I was at school. Medicine is a career where often difficult ethical dilemmas can arise. Managing these situations with a fair, non-judgemental approach is something that, on reflection, I think I had learned at least in no small part from 'Sarge'.

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE (OR UNUSUAL) DAY IN THE OPERATING THEATRE?

One very unusual day was when I had the greatest difference in weight between two consecutive patients - the first one was around 270kg, and the next one was a premature baby weighing in at around 1kg. I have had some memorable days where the whole operating theatre team has worked so harmoniously to deliver high-quality care to a critically unwell patient and achieved amazing outcomes.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO STUDENTS OR RECENT GRADUATES CONSIDERING A CAREER IN MEDICINE?

You should talk to some people who have pursued a medical career to get a realistic impression of what your life might look like. It is a longer path than most people realise; for me, I spent 6 years at university, I worked as a junior doctor for 2 years, a senior resident medical officer for 1 year & undertook a 5-year anaesthesia training programme (no one told me I’d still be sitting exams at 30 years old!). Keep an open mind regarding your path to medicine. I was lucky enough to have had a direct path to completing my specialty, but many of the best doctors that I know have taken a very circuitous route with various non-medical degrees. All of that experience is helpful in its own way and can lead to a well-rounded medical practitioner.

LOOKING BACK, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF AS YOU WERE STARTING YOUR MEDICAL JOURNEY?

That all of the exams do eventually come to an end! I would just remind my younger self to always stay positive, and to keep everything in perspective. My parents migrated to Australia for university, speaking very little English. They managed to simultaneously complete their tertiary education while learning the language in which they were studying, which, to me, is an awe-inspiring achievement. I would encourage my younger self to be aware of the privileged position that I was in and to be grateful for it every day.