Dr Sarah Livingstone (2002) has been awarded the 2024 Emily Hensley Award for her work as an obstetrician and gynaecologist. She became a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2022 after over 10 years in medicine and seven years of specialised training, including a fellowship in urogynecology and advanced laparoscopic surgery. Known for her personalised, evidence-based, and empathetic care, Sarah treats women of all ages.
Sarah is a staff specialist at the Royal Hospital for Women and a training supervisor for medical students and young doctors. She chairs the Clinical Business Rule Committee as a lead consultant for the Midwifery Group Practice Obstetric Model of Care and collaborates with midwives to support women in pregnancy and labour. Sarah also works in the pre-invasive unit, caring for women with abnormal cervical screening and cervical cancer. Sarah is deeply committed to women’s health, particularly in caring for patients who may not have the financial means to access private healthcare. Her dedication to excellence and compassionate care makes her a respected leader in her field, and she is passionate about mentoring MGGS graduates. Her commitment to continuous learning and professional development is evident in her numerous qualifications and ongoing contributions to medical research and education.
Sarah’s journey in medicine was inspired by her half-sister’s battle with leukemia as a child, leading her to pursue a science degree and eventually graduate from medical school.
“I didn’t really know what was going on with her but I would go to hospital visits with her, and I would see her scared and I would see a lot of the interaction with doctors and nursing staff and I took from that a real interest in the area of medicine.”
Growing up in rural NSW and later moving to Melbourne, she experienced a significant transition from country life to city life. Starting at the school in Year 8, Sarah was initially overwhelmed, however she was warmly welcomed and quickly made friends, thanks to the supportive environment and the help of classmates and teachers.
“I remember Lynn Broadway introducing me to some girls and setting me up with a buddy, Cristelle, and I really settled in quickly. So, it was always a warm environment.”
Rowing played a significant role in Sarah’s enjoyment of school, providing a good balance between sports and academics, teaching her dedication and all of the things that came with training and competing. She participated in various other activities too, from badminton to choir.
“I always gave everything a go, and the School encouraged that and gave the message that you don’t have to be good at something to have a go and enjoy it. It was lovely that we had so many opportunities to sign up for those things.”
Upon graduating from MGGS, Sarah completed a Science degree at Melbourne University with a view of moving into medicine. Her determination led her to apply to medical schools across Australia, eventually landing in Sydney. The lengthy and rigorous training process in medicine, including four years of medical school, internship, residency, and specialty training, did not deter her. She completed her training in obstetrics and gynaecology, becoming a staff specialist after 18 years of dedication.
“I’m really glad I took that path, because as an 18 year old coming out of school, I did not have the maturity to study medicine. I sometimes wonder if I would have dedicated enough time to my studies at that young age to be good at medicine and become a really good doctor. I think medicine is something you do with a bit of maturity, and I think the change that has occurred to make it a graduate university degree [at the University of Melbourne] is really good.”
“We underestimate, in our teen years and early 20s, how inexperienced and young we really are. It takes a lot to grow up and I think when I was younger, I felt pressure to do a lot of things all at once and sometimes that pressure can be too much. I did have dark days where I felt down and didn’t know if I could get through it all, but I guess you have to go through those things to come out the other side and feel proud of what you have achieved.”
Throughout her career, she has been inspired by the exceptional clinicians she has worked with, particularly at the Royal Hospital for Women. Their willingness to teach and share knowledge has influenced her own approach to mentoring and education. She has actively contributed to GP education, recognising the challenges faced by general practitioners in staying updated with medical advancements and has recently returned from a self-funded trip of GP education to Tamworth.
“I’ve done a lot of GP education because GPs, as you know, are under the pump in Australia. Once you become a GP, there is not a lot of time for education and training to keep up to date with the latest information and the world of medicine changes so rapidly. So I’ve done a lot in service of GP education. I get a lot out of that because they question me and give me brain busters, so it’s a two-way street.”
Sarah is a staff specialist in a public hospital, with the ability to look after any woman who comes to see her. It allows her to provide high-quality care to all women, regardless of their financial situation.
“Sometimes I see women who really don’t have the funds to pay for consultation and surgery. So, I’m able to then offer them a service through the Royal Hospital for Women, which I’m extremely proud of. There is no difference in treatment between my private and public setting, and there’s often women that I meet along the way that I push towards the public setting because it is so fantastic.”
Her commitment to mentoring and supporting junior doctors, as well as her involvement in formal mentoring programs, highlight her dedication to the medical profession and the young doctors of the future.
“I think there’s lots of opportunities for women in medicine. We have been underrepresented for so many years and obviously that’s changing because the majority of people going through medical school are now females. So, the times will change, and I’d like to see some more females in higher powered positions in Australia so that we can enact some good change and show what women are really capable of.”
Sarah’s achievements are a testament to her resilience, passion, and commitment to excellence in medicine. She continues to make a significant impact through her clinical work, education, and mentorship, ensuring that the next generation of medical professionals is well-prepared to face the challenges of the field.
Now, as a mother of three, Sarah leads a busy life, juggling a busy work life alongside coaching sports teams and staying actively involved in her children’s activities. Her husband, Ryan, is also in the medical field and together they share the balance of family life and work. Her family is incredibly supportive of her job. When she leaves on a Saturday morning for an operating list or a ward round, her children understand and appreciate that she has a fulfilling career outside of being a mother. They are intrigued by her work, always asking about the babies she helps deliver and other aspects of her job.
“They come to the hospital, and they do ward rounds with me and Sophie, my three-year-old, comes along sometimes and says ‘Are you OK?” and then pats their stomachs. The patients love it, particularly the older women. They love to see the kids on the ward round.”
Sarah credits her organisational skills and ability to balance multiple commitments as capabilities she developed during her school years. She believes that school sparked her ambition for success and gave her the tools to manage the pressures that come with it. She emphasises the importance of teaching children and young people that they can achieve great success without overwhelming themselves.
“You can be really highly successful, but you don’t have to put too much pressure on yourself to achieve it all at once. The long game is the good game. It’s vital to lean on the support of those around you during tough times and to understand that it’s normal to have dark days. These challenging moments balanced with the bright and positive days make you grow as a person, creating a well-rounded approach to life.”