James chats to Squadron Leader Nicola Boyd about her experience in the Royal Australian Air Force, specifically around aviation medicine, education and career path options available for aviation medicine.
Summary Writer: Eloise Sobels
Script Writers: Carla Roscoe and Angus Pagett
Editor: Angus Pagett
Interviewee: Nicola Boyd
Squadron Leader Nicola Boyd commissioned into the Royal Australian Air Force in January 2008 under the Graduate Medical Program. Previously, she had a career as an Occupational Therapist. On completion of her medical degree in 2011, she completed two years of civilian hospital training.
Squadron Leader Boyd attended Officer Training School in 2014. After that, she has enjoyed postings as an Aviation Medical Officer to 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron (2EHS) and 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron (1EHS). Furthermore, Nicola spent a period as Officer in Charge at 1EHS Detachment East Sale. She later returned to 2EHS as Senior Medical Officer.
Nicola deployed to the Middle East on OP ACCORDION in support of OP OKRA in 2015. During that time, she enhanced heat illness prevention and management through the development of a heat illness training program.
In 2018, Nicola was selected to attend Kings College London. This was to undertake the Postgraduate Diploma in Aerospace Medicine. Additionally, she was also awarded a Diploma of Aviation Medicine from the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, Royal College of Physicians London.
Nicola returned from the UK in 2019. Now, her posting is at the Institute of Aviation Medicine. There, she is undertaking a range of duties in clinical, research and training.
Squadron Leader Boyd holds the following:
She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Moreover, she is currently a Registrar of the Australasian College of Aerospace Medicine. Finally, Nicola is commencing a Masters in Forensic Medicine part-time due to a special interest in aviation crash investigation.
Nicola and her partner Steve are proud parents to their daughter, Charlotte. In her free time, Nicola enjoys hiking and photography. She is also passionate about training in a variety of dog sports with her three dogs.
With Dr Nicola Boyd, Squadron Leader in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Aviation and Aerospace Medicine specialist and general practitioner.
Introduction
James chats to Squadron Leader Nicola Boyd about her experience in the Royal Australian Airforce, specifically around aviation medicine, education and the diverse medical specialist career path options available in the Air Force.
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