Meet the Academy: Dr Sarah McNab Brings Her Whole Self

We had the honor of hosting the latest Meet the Academy session featuring Dr. Sarah McNab, a truly inspiring leader at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. As the first woman to be named Director of General Medicine at RCH, Sarah’s journey is one of resilience, dedication, and compassion.

From her early days as a junior resident at RCH in 2003, Sarah’s commitment to paediatrics has been unwavering. She knew she wanted to be a paediatrician even before starting medical school. Over the years, she has held various roles, including Clinical Lead of Short Stay and now Director of General Medicine, showcasing her leadership and passion for child healthcare.

During the session, Sarah shared her deeply personal experiences of grief and joy. She spoke openly about the profound loss of her brother and her daughter. Despite these immense personal challenges, Sarah exemplifies how one can bring their whole self to their work, wearing their heart on their sleeve and blending grief with joy in the service of others.

Sarah spoke passionately about the importance of mentoring and the value of building up others, sharing credit, and giving credit where it is due. She reflected on her journey, from a quality and safety role with Annie Moulden that ignited her passion, to saying yes to unexpected opportunities that weren't originally part of her plan.

One standout message from Sarah was about teamwork: "If everybody is pulling in the same direction, we can achieve so much," a sentiment that resonated deeply during the challenging times of COVID.

Thank you, Sarah, for showing us the power of resilience, empathy, and unity in healthcare.

Watch the session recording here.

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