A bit about me
Hi there! My name is Dr Gabrielle Staniforth, but I much prefer just Gabby or Gab. I am a General Practitioner based in Orange which is in regional NSW.
My favourite part about being a GP is being able to learn about people and have the opportunity to help them optimise their health.
I am passionate about helping more people in the community learn about medical topics and their health. I believe that with the right information delivered by the professionals in this space – more and more people will be empowered to make the changes that will give them their best health and best life.
Growing up and now living back in the country I have a real love of rural medicine and the particular set of challenges and rewards it brings. I also recognise that there are many conversations that may be difficult to have in health care but it is often these conversations that are the most important. I love finding a way to create the space to explore these topics.
I hope you enjoy the information shared and I hope you are inspired to live your best life!!
“My favourite part of being a Doctor and a GP is being able to provide care across a lifetime. I love getting to know my patients, hear their stories and delivering the best care for each individual; meeting them where they are at in their lives.”
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Nursing, University of Sydney
Bachelor of Science (immunology), University of Sydney
Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery (hons), University of Notre Dame
Diploma of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Certificate in Emergency Medicine
Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)
My Path to Medicine
The hardest question I often get asked is “why did you choose medicine”. I think it’s hard because while of course there was a choice on my behalf – there is also an element of medicine choosing me.
I grew up in the country and always had a very fond memory of medicine. I had an amazing GP – Dr Peter Spitzer who was the founder of the Australian Clown Doctor Program. I think having such a positive experience in this first instance certainly laid a strong foundation for me to build a love of health and medicine from.
I went to university with no real clue as to what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I was studying Science when my mum suggested Nursing. I had never considered it before but having a natural pull towards caring it made sense to me so I picked it up alongside my science degree graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science (immunology) and Bachelor or Nursing. During this time I worked as an Assistant in Nursing at RPA on the Trauma Orthopaedic ward. I was at the bottom of the rung – elbow deep in sponge baths, wounds dressings and making beds. It was during this time that I developed a love for spending time with patients, listening to there stories and ultimately “caring” for them in the true sense of the word. There is so much to be said about sitting and listening o a story – and earning from someone else journey. This is the key , I think to the best care you could ask for. After I graduated I was excited to me offered a newgradute position at the Sydney Children Hospital in Randwick. Rotating through Oncology/Haematology; cardiac; renal and finally Intensive Care was an amazing experience. I loved loved loved waling with the kids and learnt so much from them – the biggest lesson? Be honest – if it tastes bad, tell them. If its going to hurt, tell them. I continue to make this a rule in my practice to this day.
It was during my Intensive Care Placement that I became fascinated with physiology. How the doctors could alter physiology; by charging settings on the ventilator or playing around with medications. I did my job well but I had a thirst to learn more and gain an understanding of the “Why”.
I applied for medicine having failed physics and chemistry at university not thinking I’d stand a chance but I got in!
I accepted a position at the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle and moved to Western Australia for 4 years. Being from the country and from NSW I always intended to return home at some stage. I had previously done a nursing placement in orange for a mental health rotation and loved the experience. My husband’s family was also close to Orange so when I got offered an intern position at the new hospital in Orange we jumped at the opportunity and have never looked back.
To be honest I never thought I’d end up a GP – but after experiencing hospital life; after struggling with fertility issues for years to have my 2 babies and after realising the important role that GPs play in the health care system I chose this as my career.
Being a GP offers me the opportunity to really get to know my patients; It offers me the opportunity to hear those stories that I love. And it gives me the opportunity to empower and inspire my patients to be the best version of themselves.
Becoming a doctor is not easy – being a doctor is not easy. But its pretty damn cool!
My Path to Medicine
The hardest question I often get asked is “why did you choose medicine”. I think it’s hard because while of course there was a choice on my behalf – there is also an element of medicine choosing me.
I grew up in the country and always had a very fond memory of medicine. I had an amazing GP – Dr Peter Spitzer who was the founder of the Australian Clown Doctor Program. I think having such a positive experience in this first instance certainly laid a strong foundation for me to build a love of health and medicine from.
I went to university with no real clue as to what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I was studying Science when my mum suggested Nursing. I had never considered it before but having a natural pull towards caring it made sense to me so I picked it up alongside my science degree graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science (immunology) and Bachelor or Nursing. During this time I worked as an Assistant in Nursing at RPA on the Trauma Orthopaedic ward. I was at the bottom of the rung – elbow deep in sponge baths, wounds dressings and making beds. It was during this time that I developed a love for spending time with patients, listening to there stories and ultimately “caring” for them in the true sense of the word. There is so much to be said about sitting and listening o a story – and earning from someone else journey. This is the key , I think to the best care you could ask for. After I graduated I was excited to me offered a newgradute position at the Sydney Children Hospital in Randwick. Rotating through Oncology/Haematology; cardiac; renal and finally Intensive Care was an amazing experience. I loved loved loved waling with the kids and learnt so much from them – the biggest lesson? Be honest – if it tastes bad, tell them. If its going to hurt, tell them. I continue to make this a rule in my practice to this day.
It was during my Intensive Care Placement that I became fascinated with physiology. How the doctors could alter physiology; by charging settings on the ventilator or playing around with medications. I did my job well but I had a thirst to learn more and gain an understanding of the “Why”.
I applied for medicine having failed physics and chemistry at university not thinking I’d stand a chance but I got in!
I accepted a position at the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle and moved to Western Australia for 4 years. Being from the country and from NSW I always intended to return home at some stage. I had previously done a nursing placement in orange for a mental health rotation and loved the experience. My husband’s family was also close to Orange so when I got offered an intern position at the new hospital in Orange we jumped at the opportunity and have never looked back.
To be honest I never thought I’d end up a GP – but after experiencing hospital life; after struggling with fertility issues for years to have my 2 babies and after realising the important role that GPs play in the health care system I chose this as my career.
Being a GP offers me the opportunity to really get to know my patients; It offers me the opportunity to hear those stories that I love. And it gives me the opportunity to empower and inspire my patients to be the best version of themselves.
Becoming a doctor is not easy – being a doctor is not easy. But its pretty damn cool!
“My favourite part of being a Doctor and a GP is being able to provide care across a lifetime. I love getting to know my patients, hear their stories and delivering the best care for each individual; meeting them where they are at in their lives.”
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Nursing, University of Sydney
Bachelor of Science (immunology), University of Sydney
Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery (hons), University of Notre Dame
Diploma of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Certificate in Emergency Medicine
Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)