From Melbourne to Mongolia

Northern Health’s enduring relationship with Mongolia continues to flourish, built on over two decades of collaboration with the Mongolian Society of Anaesthesiologists (MSA). This partnership began in 2001 when Professor David Pescod attended the 40th anniversary meeting of the MSA and formed a close working relationship with Dr Ganbold Lundeg, then-president of the MSA.

Over the years, this collaboration has grown through the dedicated efforts of clinicians like Dr Amanda Baric, whose contributions to anaesthesia education and patient safety in Mongolia have earned her prestigious accolades, including the Order of the Polar Star (2021), the Robert Orton Medal (2023), and appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (2024).

In June 2025, a team of Northern Health clinicians joined forces with Australian colleagues to continue this legacy of compassion and global partnership. Their mission: to provide life-changing education and support to Mongolia’s medical community.

Eighteen Australian faculty members, including 11 from Northern Health, travelled to Ulaanbaatar to participate in the annual MSA seminar, hosted in collaboration with the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA). Led by Dr Baric and supported by organisations such as Interplast and the University of Melbourne, the team focused on empowering local doctors through hands-on training, shared knowledge, and enduring partnerships.

Northern Health was proudly represented by:

• Dr Sajidah Ilyas, Anaesthetist and Deputy Director, Mercy Hospital for Women.
• Dr Suzy Cook, Anaesthetist, Northern Health and RVEEH, Dental Hospital.
• Dr Andrew Huang, Anaesthetist, Northern Health.
• Dr Janette Haq, Anaesthetist, Northern Health.
• Dr Asrar Haq, Cardiologist, Northern Health.
• Dr Amardeep Nanuan, Anaesthetist, Northern Health.
• Dr Neil MacDonald, Anaesthetist, Northern Health and The Women’s Hospital.
• Mr Vikram Iyer, Vascular Surgeon.
• Dr Pip Wills, Emergency Physician and Simulation Education Specialist.
• Dr Diana Lewis, Gastroenterologist.
• A/Prof David Pescod, Anaesthetist, Northern Health.

Throughout the week, Northern Health staff delivered workshops on cardiac investigations, neuro-anaesthesia, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), obstetric anaesthesia for high-risk patients, machine troubleshooting, and more.

At the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MNUMS), another Northern Health team led simulation-based education sessions for 30 faculty members and medical students. These workshops focused on adult learning principles, feedback, psychological safety, and scenario-based teaching.

Northern Health also supported rural hospital visits and contributed essential equipment, including capnography lines, LMAs, and ultrasound machines.

From Melbourne to Mongolia, Northern Health continues to demonstrate that when healthcare professionals unite across borders, incredible things happen.

Featured image shows Dr Amardeep Nanuan, Anaesthetist, Northern Health.