Architects of Wellbeing: The Women Redefining Healthcare in Northern Sydney

There is a particular energy that sweeps through our community every March. It’s a season of reflection, marked by the arrival of International Women’s Day – a time to pause and celebrate the quiet achievers, the bold trailblazers, and the advocates who keep our local heart beating.

This year, the global theme is ‘Balance the Scales.’ It is a powerful call to action, reminding us that for a society to truly thrive, every woman must be safe, heard, and afforded the agency to shape her own destiny. Nowhere is this balance more critical than in the high-stakes world of healthcare and medical research.

Across the Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD), we aren’t just seeing a shift in representation; we are seeing a total transformation led by women. From the executive offices of our local hospitals – where General Managers like Alison Zecchin (Royal North Shore), Amanda Green (Hornsby Ku-ring-gai), Jennifer McConnell (Ryde), and Renae McCarthy (Mona Vale) hold the helm – to the sterile brilliance of our research labs, women are the architects of our future wellbeing.

The NORTH Foundation is shining a light on four such women this month, each proving that balancing the scales isn’t just about fairness, it’s about better medicine.

Take Associate Professor Yemima (Mimi) Berman. As Head of Clinical Genetics for the NSLHD, Mimi is a lifeline for the 1 in 12 Australians living with a rare disease. Her work in precision medicine and cancer detection is groundbreaking, yet she remains candid about the hurdles. “Women are still disadvantaged… due to career breaks and institutional barriers,” she notes. Her leadership ensures that the next generation of female researchers won’t just follow in her footsteps but will walk on a smoother path.

Then there is Rachel Wolfe, Director of PARVAN Services. Rachel’s work tackles the heavy reality of domestic and family violence. By designing a new, inclusive Model of Care, she is ensuring that trauma-informed support is accessible to everyone, including the LGBTQIA+ community. For Rachel, safety and justice are not mere aspirations; they are the fundamental rights of every patient who walks through a hospital door.

In the labs of the Kolling Institute, Dr. Benita Tse is unravelling the mysteries of colorectal cancer. A mother to a toddler, Benita embodies the modern “juggle,” advocating for flexible environments that allow women to lead world-class research without sacrificing family life. Her goal? Personalized treatments that save lives, particularly for young Australians.

Finally, at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, Shiraz Abdulla brings 25 years of nursing experience to the role of Director of Nursing and Midwifery. She is a fierce advocate for her staff, proving that sustainable leadership requires boundaries, compassion, and a seat at the executive table.

When we support these women, we aren’t just “giving to gain” we are strengthening the very fabric of our district. This March, let’s celebrate the resilience of our local leaders. After all, when the scales are balanced, we all stand a little taller.

To support the groundbreaking work of these women, visit northfoundation.org.au.