Specialising in the diagnosis and management of blood diseases, doctors Sunayana Patel, Julia Gardiner and Jessica Heenan are some of the hospital’s freshest faces and are bringing a “new wave of energy” to the department.

Dr Patel first came to Tasmania with her family in early 2017 from South Australia. 

She has a full-time haematologist role with the Northern Cancer Service.

Before that she completed her training as a clinical and laboratory haematologistat the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre.

Dr Patel, who completed medical undergraduate training in NSW, said it was Tasmania’s reputable lifestyle that acted as one of the biggest drawcards. 

“For me and my family, we definitely saw opportunities here in terms of the lifestyle,” she said. 

“It is a very good and beautiful place to bring up kids and I have a small toddler.

“I recognised the opportunity to come to an established cancer centre, with the potential to grow. 

“I find my role very rewarding and am looking forward what comes next.”

Dr Gardiner and Dr Heenan are the latest additions to a group of clinical and laboratory trained specialist haematologists based at the Northern Cancer Service. 

Both doctors moved from interstate to continue their work, which will focus on the management of patients with haematological disorders in Northern Tasmanian communities. 

For Dr Gardiner, the job offered an opportunity to return to her home state. 

Originally from Hobart, Dr Gardiner attained her medical degree with honours at the University of Tasmania before completing her haematology training at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. 

Dr Heenan completed her medical degree in Western Australia and before coming to Launceston, worked at the Royal Perth Hospital and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute in Melbourne. 

Wile she has worked as a locum haematologist in Northern Tasmania for the last two years, she only recently took up the permanent position with the Northern Cancer Service.