Meet Dr Marian Dover:  A Rural Generalist Obstetrician

Marian's Story

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Can you please introduce yourself and your role in healthcare?

"My name is Marian. I’m a Doctor who has specialised in Rural Generalism with advanced procedural skills in Obstetrics. I am living my dream and working in the East Kimberley of remote Western Australia."

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What first inspired you to pursue a career in medicine—and specifically rural obstetrics?

"I grew up in Egypt, a country that doesn’t offer universal healthcare. I’ve experienced and witnessed poverty, and how it impacts on a person’s trajectory in life. I wanted to contribute to a community using the things I value and love - to empathise with and look after people when they’re ill, scared, hurt or alone. This brought me to medicine.

I was naturally drawn to the areas of medicine Australia is crying out most for - excellent rural doctors, excellent First People’s healthcare, and excellent rural obstetric care. We’ve lost over 140 maternity units across rural Australia since 1990 and rural women are forced to travel hundreds of kms to birth. It only made sense for me to learn one of the most needed specialties in the country right now - rural Obstetrics (along with emergency, palliative care, mental health, primary care and all the other things rural Australians deserve access to!)"

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Can you tell us a little bit about your journey—where did you study and train, and how did you come to be working in the East Kimberley?

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"I trained in rural NSW. I didn’t get into medicine straight away so did a Clinical Science degree before studying Medicine at Notre Dame (Sydney). I then worked as a junior doctor in the Bush, then finished my Fellowship training with ACRRM. 

I craved the opportunity to delve into Indigenous and remote healthcare. When a spot came up in Kununurra, I showed my family some pictures of the waterfalls and gorges and they were sold pretty quickly! We made the 4000km trip over to this sacred and special land of the Mirriwoong People in 2024 and feel so blessed for calling it home."

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What’s one of the most meaningful or rewarding moments you’ve experienced in your role so far?

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"I used to think that doing an emergency caesarean and saving a woman from a huge postpartum haemorrhage, or restoring the blood flow to the hand of a child with a fractured dislocated arm would thrill me most. 

But over time, the stories of the patients I walked through the journey of life with have stuck with me most. There was a man I’ll never forget that chose me to be his GP, and from primary care to a cancer diagnosis and end of life, I was there for him. Another was a farmer who had lost everything in the drought. I met him in the emergency department after he attempted to take his own life. It grew into a friendship. He went on to write a book and brought me a signed copy. Getting to know people and learning what they value, and what means most to them brings me such fulfilment. It’s not always about saving a life or being a hero. Just being consistently present can be the most rewarding thing in the world.

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What advice would you give to a young person in a rural or remote town who’s considering studying medicine or healthcare??

"You are valued. You are needed. We believe in you. Don’t stress about being the smartest person in the room, just be the most hardworking. Eventually you’ll wear down the obstacles like water wears down stone and you’ll reach your goal. Rural Australia needs people like you who understand the beauty and challenges of living in the country."

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