Newtown GP Dr Danielle McMullen has been elected President of the AMA (NSW) branch for two years, making her the third woman in history to take the role in the association’s 58 year’s history.
The association represents the state’s medical professionals in advocacy work, career services and workplace relations.
In a statement released on the AMA NSW website, Dr McMullen said she hopes to continue working in the best interests of doctors and patients, despite these challenging times.
“These are challenging times and certainly not the conditions I thought they would be when I first decided to run for President,” she said. “Just like every other president AMA (NSW) has had, I will be working to improve the health system we have by driving positive and meaningful change.
“While coronavirus is unwelcome, some of the legacies it leaves on our health system don’t have to be.”
She also acknowledged the work of outgoing President, Dr Kean-Seng Lim, noting the critical leadership he has shown throughout the COVID-19 pandemic thus far.
“Just like every other president this branch has had, I will be working to improve the health system we have by driving positive and meaningful change,” she said.
Last week, she spoke to the ABC, expressing concerns over the government’s “confusing, frustrating and challenging” information broadcasted to the public”.
‘”We really need a path forward to really let doctors and the general public know who’s at risk and when and why they should be tested or should self-isolate,” she told senior reporter Liv Casben.
Dr McMullen is also a vocal advocate for gender equality in her field, and has used her new appointment as an opportunity to address the gender imbalance in leadership roles in the medical field.
“It’s impossible to get away from the fact that during its entire existence, I am only the third woman to be elected President,” she wrote. “The fact I have been also gives me hope that better gender equity will be achieved in medicine going forward and it’s something that I will be actively pursuing during my term.”
Dr McMullen completed her medical training at the University of Sydney a decade ago and practices at Newtown’s Church Street Medical Practice, where she specialises in pediatric health, women’s health, and sexual health.
She will be working alongside her Vice President, Dr Andrew Zuschmann, in her two-year appointed role.