PERSONAL BACKGROUND:

Dr Zoe Wainer is a surgical trainee at St Vincent’s Hospital with a strong commitment to social justice and health equity. She has had experience in Public Health programs in youth sexual health, mental health and drug and alcohol issues with a particular interest in Indigenous Health.

Zoe was first introduced to the work of YEAH through her involvement with the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Victoria. She is President of the AMA Victoria Doctors in Training as well as AMA Victoria representative to Federal AMA Council for Doctors in Training. She felt there was a synergy between the aims of YEAH and the commitment to public health initiatives in the AMA. Zoe felt the vision and importance of YEAH was something she wanted to contribute to at a greater level.

At a personal level Zoe’s family has been touched by the impact of AIDS. Her brother-in-law was diagnosed with HIV in the mid to late 80’s. The stigma and misunderstanding was high. So silencing was the stigma that her sister had to hide the fact from her family members until years later. Her brother-in-law died of an AIDS related illness.

With her commitment to public health in combination with the recognition of the potential impact of HIV, Zoe gratefully accepted a position as Director on the Board in 2006.

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