Practical strategies for women doctors to build fulfilling careers, financial confidence and wellbeing at every stage of life.
Join AMA Victoria for an engaging and interactive evening designed specifically for women doctors.
Throughout every stage of a medical career, women are often navigating competing professional, financial and personal priorities. From training and career progression to family planning, financial security, flexible work and wellbeing, the path is rarely linear.
This event brings together workplace relations experts, financial advisers, experienced medical professionals and wellbeing specialists to provide practical strategies, real-world insights and meaningful conversations that support women doctors at every stage of life.
Whether you're an intern, registrar, fellow, consultant, practice owner, parent or future parent, you'll leave with a better understanding of your workplace rights, financial opportunities and the many ways a fulfilling medical career can be built around your individual goals and circumstances.
Workplace Rights, Career Planning and Family Life in Medicine
Presented by John Ryan, AMA Victoria Senior Workplace Relations Advisor and former Fair Work Commissioner.
Building a medical career should not mean choosing between professional success and personal priorities. Yet many women doctors continue to face uncertainty around parental leave, flexible work arrangements, career progression and workplace rights.
John will explore:
Myths versus realities of parental leave in medicine
Understanding your workplace rights before you need them
Flexible work requests and return-to-work entitlements
Parental leave protections and employer obligations
Common workplace issues experienced by doctors
Managing conversations about pregnancy, leave and flexibility, and
How AMA Victoria can support members facing workplace concerns
Through practical case studies and real member experiences, attendees will gain greater confidence when navigating important career and family decisions.
Building Financial Confidence for Every Stage of Life
Women doctors often experience periods of parental leave, reduced working hours and increased caregiving responsibilities throughout their careers. While these life stages can impact wealth accumulation, there are strategies available to help maintain financial momentum and support long-term financial security.
This practical session will cover:
Managing Parental Leave and Career Transitions
Understanding Paid Parental Leave and key eligibility considerations
The financial impact of parental leave and career breaks
Keeping Your Super Working for You
Superannuation strategies before, during and after parental leave
Spouse contributions and super contribution top-ups
Catch-up contribution opportunities and long-term retirement planning
Building Wealth Through Every Stage of Life
Practical wealth planning considerations during changing family and career stages
Building financial resilience and protecting future retirement outcomes
Attendees will gain practical insights to help make informed financial decisions, maximise superannuation opportunities and strengthen their long-term financial wellbeing.
Flexible Medical Careers: Real Stories from Women Doctors
Facilitated by Danielle Poole, Healthcare Australia.
Hear directly from women doctors who have taken different paths to create medical careers that work for them.
Joining the panel will be:
Dr Daljit Kaur, who will share her experience balancing medical training, motherhood and locum work, including her work within the prison health system and the practical realities of creating flexibility during a demanding stage of life.
Dr Jennifer Whitgift, who will provide insights from her own career journey and discuss how career success can take many forms across different life stages.
Together, the panel will explore:
Creating flexibility within a medical career
Balancing family and professional responsibilities
Alternative career pathways and locum opportunities
Navigating changing priorities throughout life
Lessons learned and advice for other women doctors
Redefining success on your own terms
Audience participation and questions will be encouraged throughout this interactive discussion.
Wellbeing in Practice
Presented by Melo Carluco, Mindfulness Coach.
To conclude the evening, Melo will facilitate a practical mindfulness session tailored to the unique pressures experienced by medical professionals.
Attendees will learn simple, evidence-informed techniques to support resilience, reduce stress and prioritise wellbeing amidst the demands of a medical career.
Supporting Safe Steps
Registration is $35, with all proceeds donated to Safe Steps, supporting women and children experiencing family violence.
Event Details
Date
Thursday 29 Oct 2026
Venue
Level 10
242 Exhibition Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Time
6:30pm Arrival and Networking
7:00pm Formal Program Commences
Finger food and refreshments will be served.