New doctors at DDRC
Each year we are joined by new doctors, to increase their knowledge of hyperbaric and diving medicine. This year we have Drs Rosie, Lou and John – we asked them a few questions to get to know them better!
Dr Rosie has been with us at DDRC since the beginning of 2021 and has been gaining experience in the niche and exciting field of hyperbaric medicine. Rosie grew up in the beautiful county of Devon and she loves getting outside, whether it be mountain biking, archery, or surfing on the not-so-warm waves. If not in the great outdoors, you will probably find Rosie watching re-runs of Star Trek! After studying medicine in Cardiff and learning to dive she went on to work in some interesting roles, including substance misuse psychiatry, palliative care, geriatric medicine, and as a medic on dive expeditions. Not short of stamps in her passport she has dived at some amazing sites including Belize, Mexico and Egypt – as well as the azure waters of Swansea, Wales. One of Rosie’s favourite dives was in the Galapagos surrounded by over 20 Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks.
Dr John joined us not long after leaving the army, where he got to travel to fascinating places such as Kenya, Corsica and Jordan. Originally from Dunblane in Scotland, John wanted to study medicine because of the opportunities to work with a wide range of people and solve interesting and varied problems. After deliberating between either a budding acting career or becoming a doctor the choice was made for him when he was rejected from Hogwarts, and so he went on to study medicine in Edinburgh. John completed his PADI Open Water in Egypt, but his interest in hyperbaric medicine also encompasses the lesser-known occurrences of decompression illness seen in underground construction works. As well as diving he loves to go surfing, albeit he admits not very well!
Dr Lou also joined us recently, adding to her repertoire of incredibly fascinating jobs and experiences. Prior to retraining as a Doctor, Lou studied Geography at Cambridge University, then undertook a Masters degree in Latin American Studies, and for a few months lived in a silver mining town in Bolivia. Subsequently she has worked for the United Nations in Geneva, as a Divemaster in the South Pacific, and worked in marketing for Procter & Gamble! Lou loves having a hands-on and people focused job, helping people during what can often be a very stressful time in their lives. Lou has spent the last 18 months working in Covid ICU alongside her anaesthetics training, which ultimately was a very humbling and rewarding experience – a testament to the incredible efforts of medical staff during this time.