Today we are joined by Dion Forstner, a Radiation Oncology Specialist. His clinical expertise lies in the treatment of head, neck, and skin cancers. Dion studied medicine, graduating with honours from the University of Tasmania in 1994. He went on to train in Radiation Oncology in South Australia. Dion is based at both St Vincent’s Hospital and Macquarie University Hospital, and previously served for nine years as Head of Radiation Oncology in the South Western Sydney Local Health District.
Conjoint Associate Professor at UNSW and a long-time member of the GenesisCare team in NSW. He is a pioneer of multidisciplinary care, passionate about the careful introduction of new technologies. Alongside his interest and optimism for future developments in medical treatments he is, deeply committed to supporting and developing the next generation of trainees and has served as the Dean of the Faculty of Radiation Oncology for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.
It’s a thoughtful, honest and inspiring conversation. Let’s dive in.
Key moments in the podcast:
01:10 Meet Dion Forstner: A Radiation Oncology Specialist
02:38 Dion's Early Life and Career Choices
05:10 Contributions to the Medical Profession
08:55 Challenges and Reflections in Medicine
14:30 Navigating Career Pathways and Personal Growth
22:59 The Challenge of Leadership Tenure
23:47 Nurturing Future Leaders
24:43 The Importance of Teamwork
25:14 Inspiring Leadership Examples
27:37 Communication and Confrontation
31:26 Personal Insights and Family Influence
33:41 Facing the Future with Optimism
37:19 Navigating Multiple Forks in the Road
41:54 Final Reflections and Takeaways
Here is what stays with us from this conversation:
Embracing Change for Growth
Growth requires stepping beyond comfort; staying still results in stagnation.
The forks in the road we encounter are less about choosing safety and more about daring to grow.
Change, though uncomfortable, often holds the key to greater fulfillment.
Staying Connected to Motivation and Passion
When facing difficult periods, return to the core elements of your work that truly motivate you; doing so creates possibilities.
Holding onto what inspires you can unlock doors you never knew existed.
In times of challenge, passion becomes the compass.
Collaboration and Teamwork: Building Strong Relationships
Surrounding yourself with aligned, committed people amplifies what’s possible.
No challenge is insurmountable when tackled through genuine collaboration.
A thriving environment is built through shared goals, trust, and mutual support.
Address problems and difficult conversations early, prevent small issues from growing into bigger ones.
Supporting the Next Generation
Support and nurture those coming through, especially trainees navigating significant life pressures alongside their professional development.
Learn from and be inspired by junior colleagues, their ability to manage multiple challenges can be deeply motivating.
Genuine mentorship means standing alongside others as they navigate change.
Empowering others is not just a responsibility, it’s a pathway to lasting impact.
Adapting in an Evolving World
Approach the future with optimism, seeing opportunity in advancements like technology that can streamline work and enable greater focus on higher-value tasks.
Change is inevitable, but adaptability is a choice that defines relevance.
While technology may transform tasks, human connection remains irreplaceable.
Focus your energy where your humanity can make the greatest difference.
Connect with Dion Forstner
Listen to this podcast on Spotify or Apple or subscribe to it on Substack. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.
This is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will Find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.
Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland
Produced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Studior.
Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.
Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative and
Social Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode were those of the hosts and the guest, not of any entity they work for or with.
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