People In Health Care
Dr Marina Berbic
Genetic Pathologist and Deputy Director of Genetics
Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology
Dr Marina Berbic is a genetic pathologist and the Deputy Director of Genetics at Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology – a laboratory based in Sydney and part of Sonic Healthcare. The genetics department at Douglass Hanly Moir offers a wider array of genetic tests across many domains, and the medical leadership model ensures the highest possible standard of care and commitment to patient safety.
Australian Health Journal spoke to Dr Berbic about her career and being a genetic pathologist. She started as a junior doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology after completing a medical degree, though never thought about specialising in pathology. The more she learned about genetic pathology, the more intrigued she became, realising that this specialty aligned with both her strengths and interests.
Dr Berbic has always been interested in science, technology, and innovation. She first studied for a Bachelor of Medical Science degree, followed by a Master’s in Reproductive Health and Human Genetics and then a PhD in Reproductive Medicine. Dr Berbic has long-standing academic interests, both from a research and teaching perspective. She continues to be involved in medical education at the University of New South Wales in her role as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer.
After completing her specialist training and attaining fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, she commenced her role as a genetic pathologist at Douglass Hanly Moir and later became the Deputy Director of Genetics department. Her role involves providing clinical governance and medical leadership that governs all aspects of medical testing in genetics.
In this interview, Dr Berbic talks about the exciting area of genetic pathology impacting multiple areas of medicine including paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, cardiology, neurology, oncology, and other fields.
The results of genetic testing have a potential impact on the patient’s diagnosis, the decisions that couples may take when they’re making reproductive decisions, and also have predictive implications. The testing results may influence therapy, selection, or patient management and may have far ranging impact on the individual as well as their family.
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Interventional radiologists offer alternative to hysterectomy
In Australia in the last five years, an estimated 6066 women per year have undergone hysterectomies to treat fibroid-related diseases, while just 145 women each year have undergone a uterine artery embolisation, or UAE.
The procedure can effectively treat the majority of bleeding uterine fibroids. Each year, thousands of Australian women undergo invasive and life-altering hysterectomies to treat debilitating pain and blood loss caused by uterine fibroids. But there’s another option: a minimally invasive, pin-hole procedure that treats the symptoms, yet leaves the uterus intact.
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1 million Australians with undiagnosed thyroid disorders remain at risk of irreparable damage
The Australian Thyroid Foundation is a national not-for-profit organisation with charity status aimed at patients and the healthcare community. The ATF’s focus is to support and educate its member base and promote our Good Thyroid Health Messaging throughout the Australian Community.
Australian Thyroid Foundation, CEO Beverley Garside attending the breakfast gave her response to the Federal Budget and the Foundation’s pre-budget submission, which was not granted.
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Connected Health Systems
Challenges in health care delivery have compounded, with clinical staff being exposed to the Omicron COVID variant. Reduced staffing has brought on its challenges to most already-strained state health care systems and the people working in them.
However, over the past 2 years of the pandemic, technology has played an increasing role on the front end for patients and consumers at home and clinicians in the medical setting. Much more is planned in technology that will deliver efficiency, reduce risk and make available new models of care. This has the potential to touch the working lives of all stakeholders and recipients of care.
