Moving countries to continue your medical career is a big decision, particularly when you’re leaving behind an established career and making the move on your own.
For Dr Jasmee Noh, that decision has brought her from Thailand to regional Western Australia, where she is beginning a new chapter as a GP in Katanning.
A Thai Board-certified Family Physician, Jasmee brings more than seven years of experience in primary care, along with an incredibly positive outlook on what lies ahead.
Her journey to Australia hasn't gone entirely to plan, but rather than letting an unexpected setback change her outlook, Jasmee has embraced the opportunity for a fresh start.
Now, she is looking forward to bringing her experience to St Luke's Family Practice while progressing through the RACGP PEP Specialist Program and building a new life in Western Australia.
A career built around family medicine
Long before Australia was part of the plan, Jasmee had built a diverse career caring for communities in Thailand.
After completing her medical degree at Prince of Songkla University and becoming a Thai Board-certified Family Physician, she went on to work across busy community hospital settings.
And when we say busy, we mean it.
Throughout her career, Jasmee has regularly cared for between 40 and 80 patients a day, gaining experience across an incredibly broad range of medicine.
Her work has taken her from everyday primary care and chronic disease management through to paediatrics, women's health, mental health and emergency presentations. She has provided antenatal and postpartum care, managed complex acute cases and developed practical procedural skills including wound care, contraceptive implants and minor excisions.
It is this variety that has helped shape Jasmee into the family physician she is today.
Her experience has also allowed her to care for patients at very different stages of life. She has led geriatric clinics supporting older patients with areas such as falls prevention and dementia care, while palliative medicine has become another important part of her work, including caring for patients in hospital, outpatient and home settings.
“Family medicine is about caring for people through every stage of life.”
For Jasmee, family medicine has provided the opportunity to develop a broad skill set while continuing to care for people within their communities.
Making an impact beyond patient care
Jasmee's contribution to family medicine hasn't stopped when she leaves the consulting room.
Throughout her career, she has taken on leadership, teaching and research responsibilities, including helping develop telemedicine, home care and diabetes remission programs.
She has supported the next generation of family physicians through her involvement in a Family Medicine Residency Program and contributed to primary care research and innovation.
Her work has also taken her onto an international stage, presenting on diabetes remission at WONCA, while her contribution to family medicine in Thailand saw her recognised as Best Young Thai Family Physician.
She has continued to look for opportunities to grow professionally too, including completing the Emerging Women Leaders Program through the University of Toronto.
It is an impressive background, but Jasmee's next challenge would take her well beyond the healthcare system she knew.
From Thailand to Western Australia
Jasmee knew she wanted to continue her GP career in Australia and was open to the opportunities that could come with working regionally.
With extensive experience in community-based medicine, the move to regional Australia offered the chance to continue doing what she knows well, providing broad, patient-centred care within a local community.
But her journey to finding the right position wasn't completely straightforward.
Jasmee had initially secured a placement in Australia, but unfortunately, it didn't go to plan.
After making such a big commitment to starting a new life and career in another country, it could easily have changed the way she felt about the move.
Instead, Jasmee remained positive and focused on what came next.
“Sometimes the journey doesn’t go exactly to plan, but a change of direction can lead to a new opportunity.”
Finding a new opportunity in Katanning
That's when DXC Medical Recruitment's WA GP Recruitment Consultant, Adelene, was able to step in.
With Jasmee already committed to building her career in Australia and open to regional practice, Adelene worked with her to explore another opportunity and help get her plans back on track.
That opportunity was with St Luke's Family Practice in Katanning.
For Jasmee, it meant changing course, but it also meant a fresh start and the chance to bring years of family medicine experience to a regional Western Australian community.
She will now work in Katanning while progressing through the RACGP PEP Specialist Program and adapting her experience to the Australian general practice environment.
“A new opportunity can sometimes be found where you least expected it.”
Taking the next chapter one step at a time
What stood out most when speaking with Jasmee wasn't simply the breadth of experience she brings to Australia. It was her approach to everything that had happened along the way.
Despite the unexpected change in plans, she remained positive, excited and ready for what comes next.
Jasmee knows that moving into a new healthcare system will involve learning and adjustment, and she isn't expecting to know everything from day one. Instead, her approach is to start with the foundations, take things one step at a time and continue building from there.
It's a mindset that has carried her through an unexpected start to her Australian journey and will now take her into her next chapter.
“A new country, a new healthcare system and a new community – sometimes the best way forward is simply one step at a time.”
Jasmee is looking forward to commencing with St Luke's Family Practice, getting to know the Katanning community and settling into life in Western Australia.
After building an established career in Thailand, this is more than simply a new GP position.
It's a new country, a new community and the beginning of a whole new chapter.
We can't wait to see where Jasmee's GP Journey takes her next.
Welcome to Western Australia, Jasmee!
Thinking about your own GP journey to Australia?
Every GP’s journey to Australia is different.
Whether you are beginning to explore the idea or are already working through registration, pathways and relocation, the DXC Medical Recruitment team can help you understand your options and what the move could look like for you.
Our International GP Recruitment team supports doctors throughout the process, from finding the right practice and location through to registration, visa requirements, onboarding and relocation.
Considering the next chapter of your GP career in Australia? Get in touch with the DXC Medical Recruitment team.
Contact:
Adelene Chew
Senior Consultant
DXC Medical Perth
+61 430 037 389
adelene.chew@dxcmedical.com.au
For Dr Deepani, becoming a doctor was a childhood dream. Growing up in Sri Lanka, visits to her local GP left a lasting impression and helped shape the career she would eventually pursue. Years later, that early inspiration led to a career in medicine spanning Sri Lanka and Canada, and now to a new chapter working as a GP in Albury, New South Wales.
After more than two decades working in UK general practice, including 15 years running his own practice, Dr Nisal Jayasinghe was ready for a change. Originally from Sri Lanka, Nisal’s medical career has taken him across different specialties, countries and healthcare systems. Now, he has begun his next chapter in Perth, Western Australia, a move that brings together a new professional opportunity, a different pace of life and the chance to be closer to family.
