Champion of children retires after almost 40 years It was by chance in 1975 that Michael Zilibowitz stepped off a cruise ship where he was a young doctor on board to check out “this strange land Australia.” And it became the Northern Beaches fortune as the doctor went on to eventually have shared with me their fears, secrets and hopes,” he said. “For me, to help them and guide them and find a way forward and a path to a healthier better life – that’s rewarding.” Specialising in behavioural and developmental paediatric
Dr Con Papadopoulos, Dr Michael Zilibowitz, Dr Bruce Chenoworth and Dr Elisabeth Murphy
spend the next 38 years as a paediatrician, helping hundreds of families and their children. As he sets to retire in May, Michael reflected on his career which began in 1972 in the United Kingdom, but brought him to the shores of Australia, where he has worked tirelessly in championing the needs of children, supporting families and the community on the wellbeing and nurturing needs of children. “I feel really privileged to have been invited into the homes of families and children who trainees and junior specialists is being launched at NSLHD. FLASH – Fostering Leadership across Systems in Health – is a unique and innovative program for up and coming specialists that will combine formal teaching, coaching and practical experiences into monthly interactive workshops and education sessions. The Surgical Institute of Education, Research and Training (SERT) Institute, based at RNSH, is behind the leadership program being available to doctors across the district. SERT Manager Ellie McCann said she had been working
health issues, Michael has seen an increase of children and families seeking help over the decades as more present with mental health, behavioural and neurological conditions. He has been described by his colleagues as instrumental in the early endorsement and pioneering of the First 1000 days and now First 2000 days, where the relationship and wellbeing of a child from conception to five years old is crucial for their wellbeing later in life. Glover to partner with the WSLHD Research Education Network, University of Sydney and Sydney Health Partners to launch the new medical leadership program to ensure doctors can become the best leaders they can be. “Being a leader is not just about taking on official leadership roles or management positions. Good leadership has far- reaching implications across all components of our health systems, not only for high quality clinical outcomes, but also for excellence in research and educational outcomes,” Ellie said. “Doctors are trained to be good clinicians but are not
NSLHD Child, Youth and Family Director, Dr Elisabeth Murphy said: “Michael started at the time when there weren’t many issues about behavioural and development cases of children. It just wasn’t the level it is now.
“He has been a valuable pathfinder in this area of expertise.”
Michael, 72, is looking forward to travelling Arnhem Land and “not chasing the clock”.
FLASH - new course designed by doctors for doctors A new medical leadership course aimed at senior with Professor Tom Hugh and Associate Professor Anthony
explicitly taught how to be good leaders or mentors. The FLASH program will help them do this and has been designed to enhance a doctors’ skills and knowledge
that will assist them to become leaders in the healthcare system.”
FLASH is currently open for applications with a closing date of the 31 May 2021. Ten places have been secured and fully funded for the NSLHD in this inaugural program which will start in August 2021. For more information on FLASH please follow the link or contact Associate Professor Anthony Glover (NSLHD program lead) on email: anthony.glover@sydney. edu.au
NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 10 | 31 MAY 2021
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