Wednesday, April 14, 2021
THE OAKEY CHAMPION
Page 5
New doctors a welcome relief for Oakey medical centre After the challenges of 2020, local GP Dr Matt Crump is delighted to welcome Dr Ben Vogenzang and Dr Mckenzie Wilson to Ochre Medical Centre, Oakey.
“Bringing doctors to country areas is always difficult, but over the past few months, Ochre has been really fortunate to employ new doctors both here and in Kingsthorpe,” Dr Crump said. “Having two new doctors on board has been a very welcome relief and provides opportunities for doctors at the practice to
spend more time with patients and improve health outcomes for the community.” Originally from Canada, Dr Wilson began her career in biological science, specialising in genetics, psychology and criminology. She moved to Australia to begin her medical degree at the University of Queensland.
Oakey-based Dr Michael Crump, said he is looking forward to working with the new doctors at the local medical centre.
“It was amazing! I love it here. I came here to study and never went back,” Dr Wilson said. “Initially I thought I’d go back and make my mum happy, but it’s too nice here.” Her training took her first to the Sunshine Coast then Rockhampton and Caboolture. Following stints in obstetrics and geriatrics, she spent a year in emergency medicine in various locations around the country before settling on a GP career. “I like seeing a wide variety of people - you don’t have to specialise, you can do a bit of everything,” Dr Wilson said. She said the continuity of care is also a big plus. “When I was in the hospital, I would always wonder what happened to my patients after I referred them off! There’s generally no ongoing relationship,” Dr Wilson said. “As a GP, I like seeing the people I saw two weeks ago and learning how they’ve improved or what’s happened.” Dr Wilson said the nature of the work as a GP is also very different. “You have to use your
Dr Ben Vogenzang and Dr Mckenzie Wilson are the new faces at the Ochre Medical Centre at Oakey. clinical skills more: it’s great, it’s a challenge,” she said. “People are not as sick as they are in an emergency room, so you have to work out what’s going on, and what it may progress to.” Outside work, Dr Wilson is a keen runner. “I try to get out every day with my Hungarian hunting dogs,” she said. “They’re very energetic,
gorgeous dogs, with beautiful personalities but they’re quite hyperactive so if I didn’t run, it would be chaotic in our house!” The new arrivals’ timing could not have come at a better time for Dr Crump who said the practice is working to provide multiple vaccines to the community. “Increased capacity at the practice is critical now,
to ensure both the COVID and annual influenza vaccine rollouts run smoothly and that local residents have access to these important vaccines in a timely fashion,” he said. “It’s great to see patients and the community respond positively to the new doctors and also the doctors themselves enjoying their new roles.”
Improving the health of communities around Australia Ochre Medical Centre Wyalla Shop 20, 238 Taylor Street P. 4633 8700
Ochre Medical Centre Oakey 5 Cherry Street P. 4691 1750
www.ochrehealth.com.au
Ochre Medical Centre Kingsthorpe 20 North Street P. 4630 0059