FROM the introduction of patient triage in emergency to the use of portable ultrasounds, Dr Kylie Baker has seen plenty of change in her 35 years at West Moreton Health.
It was that environment of growth and change that inspired her to start her career at Ipswich Hospital, rather than “one of the big hospitals”.
“I first came here as a final-year medical student. We were told that we would get a lot more experience here than at the big hospitals, which was true.”
The Ipswich Hospital emergency physician has spent most of her career at West Moreton Health, including two years as a country medical superintendent at Laidley Hospital.
“I came to West Moreton Health because it was close to family and it was like a country town back then and I am a country person at heart. I stayed here for the same reasons.”
Some of her fondest memories of working at Ipswich Hospital are with her friends.
“I loved the ‘triathlon’ that we had one year, the inter-specialty cricket games and the social basketball that we ran for several years in the ED,” she said.
“I have always loved Christmases here because of the warmth shared between staff who are working.”
Those friendships have continued over Dr Baker’s career at the hospital.
“I can still walk around and say hello to numerous admin officers, wardspeople and nursing staff.”
Dr Baker is one of the many staff across the health service who are being acknowledged for their dedication and service to West Moreton Health.
West Moreton Health chief executive Hannah Bloch said the first annual Length of Service awards were an opportunity to recognise employees who had reached significant milestones in their careers.
“It is also a chance for us to honour the contributions that staff have made to the health service and the wider community,” Ms Bloch said.
