Introduction by Croakey Professional Services: Dr Alicia Veasey, a proud Torres Strait Islander women, obstetrician and gynaecologist, is a passionate advocate for women’s health and an “advocate for meaningful change at all levels of the healthcare system”.
In the profile below, provided by the Women in Public Health (WPH) network, Veasey shares some of the experiences that fuelled her determination to address the root causes of health disparities. She also discusses the impact of climate change, the importance of deep listening, and the power of surfing.
The WPH network launched about 18 months ago with the aim of advancing equity in public health leadership. One of the ways in which WPH seeks to do this is by elevating the diverse voices of women from the sector in the media, in government processes, and in other forums.
As part of their remit to connect women who work in public health, the WPH network will hold a networking event in Brisbane this Thursday, 20 February.
This article is the first in a series published by Croakey Professional Services as sponsored content, with WPH support.
Edwina Pearse and Sarah Jackson write:
Growing up with a father who was an Aboriginal Health Worker and founder of a local community-controlled organisation, Dr Alicia Veasey always knew she wanted to work in health.
Encouraged by one of Queensland’s first Aboriginal doctors, Professor Noel Hayman, she completed her nursing degree first. Then, she worked as a Registered Nurse while pursuing her medical degree.
“I did night shifts every week, would go 48 hours [at a time] every week without sleep. I don’t know how I did that,” she marvels. “You just do what you’ve got to do.”
Dr Veasey is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman, and obstetrician and gynaecologist. She blends clinical practice with a powerful commitment to public health advocacy.
Her journey is a testament to the power of lived experience, a deep understanding of systemic inequities, and dedication to empowering marginalised communities.
As she puts it, with a touch of humour, after a long day she feels “very tired” from striving to make a difference in a world that often feels like a “dumpster fire”.
Forging a path to health leadership
Veasey’s path to medicine wasn’t linear, starting with a role as an Assistant in Nursing in aged care.
“I’ve come through what you might call a common pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in healthcare,” she says.
“It’s more of a stepwise approach to medicine, where I’ve worked my way through the health system rather than just going straight to becoming a doctor. This was largely out of necessity.”
This hands-on experience gave her a unique perspective on the healthcare system, its strengths and its shortcomings.
Veasey, who is now a northern NSW-based obstetrician and gynaecologist and Co-Chair of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Clinical Network, was motivated to combine work in both clinical and public health to achieve positive social change.
“That reason was to make a difference for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander People, for my family, and, as I got more mature, to change the system. That was, and is, the ultimate goal,” she says.
Early in her career, Veasey witnessed firsthand the systemic inequities in the healthcare system.
“As a junior doctor, being in hospital systems was traumatic at times, the racism and blatant disregard for humanity,” she recalls, particularly in emergency departments and special care nurseries.
These experiences fuelled her desire to address the root causes of health disparities.
Veasey’s commitment to systems change was significantly influenced by her recent Master of Social Change Leadership, which she completed through the Atlantic Fellows for Social (Indigenous) Equity program hosted by the University of Melbourne in 2023.
This experience, alongside her broader educational pursuits in public health and health management, has shaped her approach to driving systemic improvements.
“I just realised really early on that I needed to understand the system. It wasn’t enough to just do another health promotion or pigeonhole what I thought public health was,” she says.
This understanding, coupled with her clinical expertise, has allowed her to advocate for meaningful change at all levels of the healthcare system.
Veasey is a powerful voice for self-determination in First Nations health. She cautions against tokenistic approaches to community engagement, highlighting the importance of elevating community voices and ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at the centre of decisions that affect their health.
Her approach hinges on deep listening and a profound respect for cultural authority.
“Actually, what you’ve got to do is you’ve got to listen, and then you’ve got to really think about what is behind what people are saying and then use our technical expertise,” she explains.
Caring for Country and community
Veasey is also deeply concerned about the impact of climate change on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, who are often at the forefront of environmental crises.
“Climate change affects more of our communities,” she says, highlighting the displacement caused by rising sea levels.
“The communities I look after, they’re climate change refugees but you don’t hear about it on the news. No one’s going to care until Byron Bay starts sinking.”
She sees these challenges as a critical reminder of the broader systemic issues that demand urgent attention.
Veasey is a passionate advocate for women’s health and recognises the importance of validating women’s experiences in healthcare, believing that such validation can be incredibly healing for women who have often been dismissed or ignored by the medical establishment.
She holds a Fellowship in Paediatric & Adolescent Gynaecology (IFEPAG), subspecialising in this field, and is especially committed to empowering young women to advocate for their own health.
“When you go to the doctor, you need to learn,” she tells her patients. She encourages them to practise communicating with health professionals in a safe environment, fostering their ability to navigate the healthcare system with confidence.
Veasey points out that “it is really, really tricky for women” to advocate for their own health when they are already vulnerable.
Using power for good
Veasey acknowledges the power and privilege she holds as a doctor and uses her position to advocate for change.
“Because I am a doctor, I’ve got a fellowship, I have immense privilege and power,” she says.
For young women entering public health, Veasey urges, “Use your power rather than being defeatist. You don’t have to solve all the problems, but you can do one thing and do it well.”
She hopes that more doctors will recognise the influence they can wield, but also the responsibility this power entails.
Veasey reflects on her own approach to healthcare, emphasising that as a healthcare professional, she sees herself not as the expert, but rather as a technical assistant in someone else’s empowerment and wellbeing. This mindset helps her navigate the complexities of her role.
Veasey is candid about the challenges of balancing her clinical work, advocacy, and personal life. She stresses the importance of finding activities that “fill your cup” and setting boundaries to prevent burnout.
“You have to be really strong around your boundaries,” she advises. “It’s actually very healthy for me to have those two spaces where I can be different in modes.”
For Veasey, one of those modes means escaping to the ocean.
As a keen surfer, she finds that “even if I only catch a few waves, as long as I’m in the water,” it helps her to switch off. This balance is crucial in maintaining her energy and focus for her work.
Despite the inevitable setbacks Veasey remains optimistic about the future. She draws strength from her connection to community and her unwavering commitment to social justice.
“Government is big. Governments come and go,” she says. “…but the work continues.
“We must continue to build our own mechanisms and capacity so that when opportunities arise again for systems change, we are ready.”
The #LeadingWomen series of articles is funded by the Women in Public Health Network. This article was written by Edwina Pearse and Sarah Jackson and edited by Dr Ruth Armstrong and Dr Tess Ryan.
Women in Public Health is grateful to our funding partners, VicHealth and Health and Wellbeing Queensland, for their support. Their commitment is crucial in helping us advance our mission to empower women in the public health sector and promote gender equality.
