Dr Ruth Surman

ABOUT ME

I am passionate about supporting families and young people to reach their full potential through reflective, and holistic care. I feel that in working together we can develop a greater understanding of a child or young person’s unique developmental profile and collaborate to establish individualised, positive and goal-directed management plans. I see children and young people throughout their childhood and adolescence until they transition into the young adult space (leaving school and moving on other activities).

JOURNEY TO CDN

I have always felt the passion to become a doctor and after school I studied Science and then post-graduate Medicine at the University of Queensland, before graduating with Honours in 2005. Subsequent to this I have worked with families across hospital and community settings within Queensland and New South Wales in both public and private roles and completed formal training in both General Paediatrics and Community Child Health (Child Development and Behavioural Paediatrics) in 2015. I now focus on Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics and have recently made the decision to focus on my private work which allows me greater opportunity to walk the full developmental journey with children and young people.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

When not engaged in clinical work I continue to enjoy teaching and mentoring other professionals, hoping to instil in them the joy I find in medicine and support them to find their own path. I remain affiliated with the University of Queensland as a Senior Lecturer, supporting students through clinical placement and am an inaugural member of their Peer Advisory Network. In addition, I facilitate the CDN in-house supervision and education program to promote professional resilience and ensure our clinical practice at CDN is aligned with the most up-to-date information. I am also the Deputy Chair on the Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC) for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) for the training of paediatricians who will specialise in Community and Child Health (CCH). I am an active member of the Australasian Society for Developmental Paediatrics (ASDP) - previously known as the Neurodevelopmental Behavioural Paediatric Society of Australasia (NBPSA). The ASDP is a network of medical specialists committed to helping children with neurodevelopmental and behavioural challenges to achieve their full potential through evidence-informed practice, clinical collaboration and advocacy. Finally, I continue to build my skills and knowledge in the field of professional governance.

OUTSIDE OF WORK

I love a good book, and have recently taken up both Tap and Jazz dancing.