From aeromedical retrievals in the outback with the Flying Doctor to overseeing emergency departments in the city - RFDS Senior Aeromedical Consultant Dr Shima Ghedia is trained for any trauma.
Her passion for emergency medicine grew from a young age, watching her father work as a rural general practitioner and local anaesthetist in rural Australia. Shima was eager to learn more.
While working for a rescue helicopter service in Mackay, she decided to complete a Graduate Certificate in Aeromedical Retrieval at James Cook University and has never looked back.
Now she’s an experienced FACEM – a Fellow of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine – who works part-time in aeromedical and telehealth at the RFDS Mount Isa Base as well as in an emergency department at the Gold Coast.
Occasionally, she also fulfills a locum role in hospitals at Alice Springs and Darwin.
“I've been a doctor for 31 years and have worked in almost every aspect of emergency medicine, including public, private, rural, remote, urban and teaching hospitals,” Shima said.
“So, I have a very broad view of the patient journey and feel confident making time-critical decisions.
"Making a diagnosis when a patient has unusual or mysterious symptoms is a passion of mine.”
After just four years with the RFDS, Shima has responded to various multi-vehicle accidents, farming injuries, high-risk obstetric cases, anaphylactic reactions and snake bites.
“One day we flew to a major trauma near Blackall where a young man had come off his motorbike,” Shima said.
“When I arrived, I did an ultrasound and realised he was actively bleeding into his abdomen.
“I knew he needed a surgeon immediately and was able to connect him to the care he needed quickly – that’s the skills we bring to the Service.”
While Shima admits she loves the variety of work that she does, she often calls Mount Isa her second home.
“I have a lot of respect for the amazing nurses, pilots and support staff I work with here at the RFDS,” Shima said.
“We are making critical decisions all of the time, and it's nice to know your team is your support network.
“Plus, there’s something really special about getting away from the city and resting your eyes on the horizon.”
In the last financial year, the RFDS (Queensland Section) transferred over 13,000 patients, over 1,100 were from the Mount Isa Base.
