Gynaecology Medical Specialists Visit Mongolia
A team of gynaecology medical specialists consisting of Professor Beverley Vollenhoven AM (Head of Gynaecology at Monash Health, Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Monash University), Dr Philip Thomas (Deputy Director of Gynaecology at Monash Health) and Dr Elizabeth Farrell (Medical Director of Jean Hailes for Women's Health) recently returned from a trip to Mongolia. Their experience was marked by surgery and patient consultations, experiencing the local cultural and the forging of new connections.
Arriving in Mongolia on June 8th, the team quickly got to work. They presented at a conference where they each shared their expertise. The conference concluded with a gala dinner featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and singers, providing a memorable cultural experience.
The real work began soon after. Dr Thomas took to the operating theatre, performing numerous laparoscopic surgeries. "Phil operated while I keenly observed and took photos," Professor Vollenhoven recalls. Generously supported by Olympus, which provided essential instruments and a heat generator, the team worked tirelessly. In Arkhangai Province, Dr Thomas performed four surgeries, starting at 9 PM and finishing at 1 AM. Despite an arduous 12-hour journey due to a bus breakdown, the team remained undeterred. "Quite fun, well after the fact!" Vollenhoven noted.
While Dr Thomas focused on surgeries, Dr Farrell and Professor Vollenhoven delivered lectures and saw numerous patients. The challenges were notable: "The patients do not present with complex problems, but their management becomes complex due to the availability of treatment options," Professor Vollenhoven explains. Outside of the clinic, the trio’s adventures in Arkhangai included sleeping in a traditional Ger for two nights and climbing a volcano.
Returning to Ulaanbaatar, the team continued their mission. With Dr Thomas heading back to Melbourne, Dr Farrell and Professor Vollenhoven consulted at all three maternity hospitals, visited an IVF centre to discuss complex cases, and enjoyed the hospitality of their hosts.
Reflecting on the trip, Professor Vollenhoven expresses immense satisfaction. "This has been a fantastic experience. We have already planned our trip for next year and hope to include a larger group of Monash Health consultants." The gratitude of the Mongolian doctors for the knowledge exchange and surgical expertise was evident, and Professor Vollenhoven hopes to forge ongoing connections, including potential research collaborations with Mongolian universities.
“Truly, it was two weeks well spent,” commented Professor Vollenhoven.
About Monash University
Monash University is Australia’s largest university with more than 80,000 students. In the 60 years since its foundation, it has developed a reputation for world-leading high-impact research, quality teaching, and inspiring innovation.
With four campuses in Australia and a presence in Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia and Italy, it is one of the most internationalised Australian universities.
As a leading international medical research university with the largest medical faculty in Australia and integration with leading Australian teaching hospitals, we consistently rank in the top 50 universities worldwide for clinical, pre-clinical and health sciences.
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