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DR JON WAITES CARDIOLOGIST
20 years ago, Dr Jon Waites moved to Coffs Harbour and established Coffs Cardiology.
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aving trained in Sydney, Adelaide and London, I was ready for a change. Time spent working with the Flying Doctors made me realise there were some fantastic places outside our cities. Coffs Harbour seemed the ideal choice … beautiful coastline, superb climate and – they needed a Cardiologist!” In 1994, Coffs Cardiology opened its doors and since then has grown into a vibrant and caring practice. It provides all those services available in City Cardiac Units. Working closely with the Coffs Harbour Health Campus, Dr Waites has also developed Cardiac Services at the Base Hospital. “We now have a Coronary Care Unit and a Coronary Angiography Suit. We are able to perform complex cardiac procedures which previously required transfer to Sydney. We have a visiting Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Paediatric Cardiologists. 2014 marks 20 years in the business. When and why did you decide to study medicine and what made you choose your speciality? I had always wanted to be a doctor, ever since my childhood. I was in a car accident when I was seven and spent time in an Intensive Care Unit. I think that made my mind up for me. I chose Cardiology because of the advances made in the treatment of heart disease that occurred after I qualified. I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. I have no regrets ... it's a very fulfilling career. What do you like about this profession, and what is the most important thing you’ve learnt in the past 20 years? My profession is constantly evolving; it's important to stay up to date with all the advances. It keeps me interested and stimulated. It also enables me to interact with colleagues, both
nationally and internationally. The most important thing that I have learnt
DR JOHN WAITES BLUE & WHITE Veterinary Clinic A CAREER VISION
The start of 2014 has seen the culmination of a lifelong dream and vision for the founding veterinarian Michael Featherstone, his business partner of five years, Mark Kallman, and the rest of the team at Blue and White Veterinary Clinic.
over the 20 years is to always listen to your patients. How has your profession developed in that time? Cardiology has undergone a renaissance. In 1985, when I started, there was no treatment available. People came into hospital to die. Nowadays, the situation has changed dramatically. We have treatment and devices for heart attacks, heart failure and all other heart conditions. The field of Cardiology is constantly evolving. What services do you offer at Coffs Cardiology, and who makes up your well established team? Coffs Cardiology is proud to offer the whole suite of cardiac services – consultations, 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure and Holter monitoring for rhythm disturbances, stress testing and echocardiography, as well as pacemaker and defibrillator interrogation and programming. With our Clinical Trials Unit, we are at the forefront of drug development and through the hospital we access the Coronary Angiography Laboratory, enabling diagnostic and curative procedures to occur. We liaise
In January of this year after several years of planning, long months dealing with Council and finally, the generally smooth construction phase, we opened our doors to our fabulous new modern Veterinary Hospital - an achievement we are very proud of. Along with substantial investment in new and modern equipment and technology, we now offer all our clients and patients, not only the usual friendly and caring service, but a wonderful, modern and comfortable building in which to give our continued high level of veterinary care. Michael Featherstone began the practice in 2001 with the mission statement: “At the Blue and White Veterinary Clinic we take the time to get to know clients and patients, not just as customers, but as friends”. This is a belief which is shared and nurtured by his current friendly and caring team. “We have a wonderful team of very warm and dedicated people who make coming to work each day an absolute joy.” Michael and his family represent 5th and 6th generation locals in Woolgoolga, and Michael
feels that he is so lucky to be able to live, work and raise his family in such a beautiful part of the world. Michael lives with his wife, Jayne, three young children and their menagerie of animals on a small hobby farm, just outside of Woolgoolga. “I’m pretty sure our children have no idea how lucky they are to live in such a wonderful place, surrounded by all their pets.” Mark emigrated from South Africa six years ago. Mark, his wife, Debbie, and his two university aged children now reside in beautiful beachside Korora. “Waking up each day to the sound of the ocean in such a stunning place is like being on permanent holiday.” Living in Coffs Harbour allows Mark to fulfil both his passions working as a veterinarian and his love of the ocean and the underwater world. Michael and Mark are both extremely proud of their new hospital and their team and eagerly invite all their clients past, present and future to come into the practice meet the staff, have a chat and a guided tour of their fantastic new hospital.
with our Rheumatology colleagues, operating the first Rural Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Clinic in the country. A Visiting Cardiac Surgeon from Sydney provides surgical input. When Coffs Cardiology first started, there were three members of staff. We now have 13. We have a training program whereby local individuals are trained in cardiac technology. Our staff members are extremely well trained, focused and loyal, caring for our patients. Our equipment is brand new and state of the art. Our new location next to the Base Hospital is convenient, with ease of parking. coffs coast focus 83