Alex Stokes

Role: Grade 1 Dietitian 

How long have you worked for Barwon Health? Almost two years.

 I was initially attracted to working at Barwon Health because of the lifestyle that the Geelong area provided. Growing up in Melbourne and often visiting the Surf Coast for holidays, I had always wanted to move to Geelong as I loved the beaches and the slower paced lifestyle down here. I started my career journey at Barwon Health as a student, completing my clinical dietetic placement at the McKellar Centre. After graduating, I landed a full-time role at McKellar for over 12 months before transferring to University Hospital Geelong, where I worked across multiple general medicine wards. Barwon Health has been extremely supportive of my career development, offering me the opportunity to work across different sites, participate in professional development courses, and work with both inpatients and outpatient clinics as they support a wide range of patients. My role at Barwon Health involves supporting patients to improve their health through dietary changes, which I find incredibly rewarding. I enjoy working as part of a large dietetic team, as there is always support and development opportunities available. Compared to other healthcare services, I believe that Barwon Health's focus on providing care to a diverse range of patients allows for exposure to many different clinical conditions and areas of dietetics.

Chris Wiggett

Role: Deputy Manager, Nutrition and Dietetics Department 

How long have you worked for Barwon Health? 22 years

 When I was looking for a job after studying and working in Melbourne, I was attracted to Barwon Health because I wanted to combine my passion for Clinical Dietetics with a large health service and return to my hometown of Geelong. I began my career at Barwon Health 22 years ago as a junior dietitian, and I quickly moved into a clinical specialty role as a renal dietitian, covering inpatient wards, outpatients, and dialysis units. Over time, I had opportunities to take on senior roles such as a dietetics student coordinator and Deputy Manager of Nutrition and Dietetics. Barwon Health has been supportive of my personal and professional growth, offering the flexibility to job-share and balance my senior dietetics position with a busy family life.

What I enjoy the most about my role at Barwon Health is working with so many amazing people with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise across various departments. I am always guaranteed to learn something new every day. One thing that sets Barwon Health apart from other healthcare services is the strong links it holds with the Geelong community. As someone who loves living and working in Geelong, this is particularly meaningful to me.