“I’ve always had a strong interest in building and architecture. If I’d been a boy, I probably would have been an engineer – but in the 70s and 80s, opportunities like that weren’t necessarily promoted to girls.”
With her interests in maths, science and the great outdoors, Bridget was drawn to physiotherapy instead.
After graduating, a fixed-term role at Wakari became a permanent job, and then a rotational, and then a senior position.
Bridget joined a New Dunedin Hospital user group in 2017 – and when COVID-19 hit, she had the opportunity to step into previous Programme Director Hamish Brown’s steel-capped shoes.
Bridget says there’s a growing presence of diversity in health infrastructure, but there are still times when she’s the only woman around the table. Bridget’s advice for anyone who doesn’t fit the typical leadership mould is to back yourself.
“Take a deep breath, and remember you probably know more than you think. You have the ability – even if you’re not wearing a check shirt.”
By backing herself, Bridget’s engineered herself into her dream role.
Check out our other stories:
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COVID-19 booster your best bet
Eyes on the prize
Visiting our hospitals - what you keed to know
