Improving access to women’s healthcare in Gippsland is a driving force behind
Rural Generalist Obstetrician Dr Lauren Downie’s work.
Her passion has led to selection to attend the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine’s (ACRRM) Emerging Leaders Conference in Adelaide from October 18-20 2026, joining recently Fellowed Rural Generalists from across Australia to develop their leadership skills and explore solutions to challenges facing rural, remote, and First Nations healthcare.
Dr Downie says her passion for leadership is grounded in ensuring women can access timely, evidence-based care, regardless
of where they live.
“In rural communities, healthcare services may exist, but they are not always easy to find or access,” Dr Downie says.
“For many women, particularly when seeking maternity care or pregnancy-options care, navigating the healthcare system can be confusing and overwhelming.
“I’m passionate about helping create healthcare systems that are accessible, compassionate and deserving of the trust our communities place in them.”
Dr Downie has spent much of her career working in women’s health, obstetrics and Rural Generalist Medicine across Gippsland.
She has been a strong advocate for improving access to reproductive healthcare and supporting Rural Generalist training opportunities, while also mentoring junior doctors and contributing to the education of future rural clinicians.
Over the past year, while supporting her family during an overseas military posting, she has remained actively involved in rural medicine through her work with ACRRM and national guideline development.
As the only rurally based practitioner on
the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration’s Antenatal Care panel,
Dr Downie advocates for the perspectives of rural patients and clinicians in the development of evidence-based pregnancy and postnatal care guidelines.
She is also involved in exploring
innovative approaches to improving
access to reproductive healthcare for
regional communities.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says
Dr Downie’s commitment to women’s health
and rural healthcare advocacy makes her
an ideal participant in the Emerging
Leaders Conference.
“Dr Downie has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving access to healthcare for rural communities and supporting the
next generation of Rural Generalists,”
Dr Martin says.
“Her work in women’s health, education and advocacy reflects the important role Rural Generalists play in strengthening healthcare for regional Australians.”
Dr Downie says she hopes the conference
will help her develop the skills needed to continue advocating for better health
outcomes across Gippsland.
“I want to learn from other Rural Generalists and bring new ideas back to my local community,” she says.
“Ultimately, I want to help create a healthcare system that is accessible, compassionate and well connected to the needs of rural people.”
