Page 6 - GSR Spring 2022

6I THE GIPPSLAND SENIOR
SPRING 2022

M a k i n g a d i f f e r e n c e

IT seems like we find reasons to celebrate
almost anything these days; from Middle
Child Day on the August 12, World Beard
Day on September 3 a nd even T a lk Like a
Pirate Day on September 19.
Our incredible doctors and nurses each
get a c elebration day; March 31 and May
6 r espectively b ut in preparation for Make
,
a D ifference Day which will be celebrated
on October 22 2022, we thought
Gippsland should shine a s potlight on
,
someone who has cared for c ontributed
e
to, and grown with, the healthcar o f
Gippsland.
The dedication, compassion and tireless
workload of our Gippsland doctors
has rarely been questioned, but the
weight and responsibility of our current
e
healthcar s ituation is something quite
different.
Dr Anthony Boers has been contributing
to the healthcare o f G ippsland since 2004
and despite the challenges faced in the
current pandemic, believes the futur f or
e
Gippsland looks positive.
Dr Boers believes “the growth and
expansion of LRH has been important for Dr Boers increased his work commitments Dr Boers says Gippsland is an ideal diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, painful
the region encouraging mor d octors to in the region during 2005 when he place to raise a f amily b elieving “we have musculoskeletal pain disorders and
e
,
come to Gippsland. began operating a p rivate consulting access to excellent education, sporting similar conditions could access support
e
s
Maryvale’ c urrent expansion and service at Maryvale Private Hospital, facilities, and can maintain a g reat and car l ocally reducing the significant
e
redevelopment will also attract more befor w holeheartedly taking the plunge, lifestyle! burden of travel.
surgeons, physicians and specialists reducing the commute, and relocating Wher e lse could we be less than two
e
meaning mor p eople can receive their to Latrobe Valley with his wife Corenna in hours from the city t he surf, and the Dr Boers’ commitment to Maryvale
e
,
e
car c loser to home, which contributes to 2006. snow?” Dr Boers also marvels at the lack Private Hospital also included increasing
better health outcomes”. When reflecting on the changes to the of traffic which means he can “spend the presence of multiple Consultant
Physicians and overseeing high quality
,
e
After completing his Medical Degree provision on health services in Latrobe mor t ime with his family a s w ell as travel car o f p atients on-site at Maryvale.
e
(MBBS with Class 1A honours) from Valley and Gippsland since 2004, Dr between work, hospitals and clinics
,
t
e
,
Monash University D r B oers was Boers is optimistic about the continuing quickly and easily s o t her i sn’ w asted In 2013, Dr Boers built the Maryvale
e
e
successfully admitted into the Royal growth of services and the positive time sitting in traffic”. Healthcar C entr o n-site at Maryvale
Australian College of Physicians. impact this has on health outcomes for Dr Boers is also known to enjoy a r ound Private Hospital which was integral to
Gippslanders. increasing the availability and access of
Dr Boers continued working in large of golf, the proximity and access to golf
tertiar h ospitals and began his Dr Boers sees the investment into courses in Gippsland is also a s ource of radiological and pathology services for
y
specialisation in Rheumatology at Monash medical, nursing, and allied health much enjoyment, and a w ell-deserved both Maryvale Private Hospital as well as
Health, which operates the largest workforce as an important step, and opportunity to unwind, for the avid golfer. out-patients.
Rheumatology Unit in Australia. believes the Monash University School of Dr Boers’ contribution to Gippsland, and Despite building his private practice at
Rural Health is key to continued growth of
In 2004, Dr Boers answered the call from the health sector workforce for the region. particularly Maryvale Private Hospital Maryvale, he continues to travel to East
,
Gippslanders and accepted a p osition has been tremendous and was integral Gippsland regularly c onsulting in both
with Latrobe Regional Hospital (LRH) to Gippsland hosts six of the eight rural in setting up a g roup of Physicians Lakes Entrance and Orbost.
n
work and consult in General Medicine, teaching sites for this program and Dr. i L atrobe Valley during 2005 which He maintains public appointments at LRH
he also began his private practice in Boers hopes this encourages healthcare increased access for Gippslanders to and spends most of his time providing
Rhuematology at LRH at the same time. workers to continue working and living in quality Consultant Physicians without the private consulting services and private
Gippsland. need to travel to Melbourne.
Working in Gippsland made sense for hospital admissions at Maryvale Private
Dr Boers as both his parents grew up in Dr Boers continues to encourage “city Of particular importance is Dr Boers’ Hospital.
Gippsland with Mum hailing from areas doctors and aspiring health professionals specialisation in Rheumatology a ,
y
around Warragul, while dad worked the to consider trying countr l ife in specialisation which diagnoses, treats Almost 19 years after arriving in
Warragul Markets for 40 years. Gippsland”. and manages diseases of the joints, Gippsland Dr Boers still maintains his
e
muscles and bones. enthusiasm and car f or his patients at
Having grown up in Dandenong, Dr Boers Since moving to Latrobe Valley in 2006, both LRH and Maryvale Private Hospital,
.
affectionately remembers visiting family in Dr B oers’ family has grown to five with Dr Boers’ commitment to treating definitely making a d ifference.
Sale as a c hild and had fond childhood all three children born, raised, and Gippslanders, in Gippsland,
e
memories of spending time in Gippsland. continuing to be educated, in Gippsland. meant sufferers of auto-immune Supplied by Maryvale Privat H ospital.