Learn resilience strategies from these remarkable Avant members, to apply in your own medical practice.
Facilitated by Avant’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael Wright and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Mark Woodrow, Avant is proud to present this curated Q&A series featuring Dr Lydia Johns Putra, Dr Richard “Harry” Harris and Dr Dan Pronk, each with a lived experience of working in a crisis.
These accomplished doctors will share their extraordinary stories of performing under pressure, and how they not only coped, but developed stronger mental agility and a resilient mindset.
Dr Lydia Johns Putra
Lydia, a Ballarat urologist, was part of a team who rescued a man trapped in a collapsed building during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. As aftershocks continued, she performed bilateral leg amputation using only a hacksaw and pocket knife. She was awarded the New Zealand Bravery Decoration in 2014.
Dr Richard “Harry” Harris SC OAM
2019 joint Australian of the Year, anaesthetist and cave diver, Harry, was recognised for his role in the 2018 Thailand cave rescue. His experience has been popularised by the movie, Thirteen Lives and several documentaries. Harry now advocates for sensible risk taking in young people, to build resilience and improve mental health.
Dr Dan Pronk
Dan is co/author of best-sellers, The Resilience Shield and The Combat Doctor, and a former SAS and Commandos Regimental Medical Officer, serving in Timor Leste and Afghanistan. Dan regularly presents to military, government, and corporate groups on resilience in high-consequence environments, and provides remote medical support on reality TV shows, including SAS Australia.