LifeFlight Doctor Balances High-Stakes Career and Family
Dr. Carly Silvester, a dedicated LifeFlight doctor based on the Sunshine Coast, expertly navigates the demands of her high-pressure medical career while raising two children. As she prepares to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, Carly reflects on her multifaceted roles at LifeFlight, Retrieval Services Queensland (RSQ), and Noosa Hospital, emphasizing the importance of organization in her life. With a wall calendar as her primary tool, she manages a schedule that includes critical medical emergencies both on land and at sea.
Emergency Medical Expertise in Action
Dr. Silvester plays a crucial role in managing Queensland’s pre-hospital medical emergencies. Her responsibilities include providing tele-medical advisory services for maritime missions, where she can be called upon at any hour to assist those in distress. Last year, she guided a crew through a challenging situation involving a seriously injured crewman on a vessel far from the nearest port. Carly’s expertise allowed her to coordinate pain relief and wound care through phone calls, emails, and video conferences, ensuring the crewman received the necessary medical attention until help could arrive.
In addition to her maritime duties, Carly works as a critical care doctor for LifeFlight, flying out on helicopters to respond to various medical emergencies. She describes her job as the best, highlighting the self-motivated culture among her colleagues. The team continuously trains and reviews cases to improve their skills and effectiveness. Carly finds fulfillment in serving the community and believes in equitable healthcare access, which LifeFlight provides across Queensland.
Her experience includes high-profile rescue missions, such as the dramatic extraction of a paraglider who crashed into cliffs at Rainbow Beach. Carly recalls the challenges of that rescue, which required a combination of training and expertise. The team frequently responds to emergencies involving rock climbers, dirt bike riders, and victims of road accidents, showcasing the diverse nature of their work.
Managing Work-Life Balance
Outside of her emergency medical roles, Dr. Silvester also works at Kedron’s Retrieval Services Queensland, where she helps manage numerous medical airlifts daily. Her responsibilities involve assessing patient needs and coordinating with medical teams to ensure timely care. Additionally, she spends nights at Noosa Hospital’s emergency department, assisting local patients with serious conditions. Carly also oversees international jet repatriation medical cases, further demonstrating her extensive skill set.
Despite her demanding career, Carly is also a devoted mother to her children, Ava and Theo. She acknowledges the challenges of balancing work and family life, often relying on her husband, Hugh, for support. The pressures of daily life can be overwhelming, and Carly admits that sometimes she has to let certain tasks slide. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing and accepting that it’s okay not to do everything perfectly. Ultimately, she cherishes her role as a mother, finding joy in the everyday moments with her children, even if they sometimes find her embarrassing.
