New doctor in the house!

Mapleton Medical Centre was established in 1981 by Dr Danny Cocks and Dr Ian Matthews. Since then, it has been at the forefront of providing primary medical services to Mapleton and surrounding areas.

In 2017, the practice was taken over by Prime Medical Group and currently has five General Practitioners working at the centre, in addition to the professional nursing team and friendly administration staff who service close to 100 patients a day.

The Centre has recently welcomed a new member to their team, so I popped in to say hello to Doctor Mariana Bruno Correa and find out a little more about her!

Mariana currently lives on the Coast, near her son’s school. “I haven't relocated to the hinterland just yet, but I am definitely open to the idea in the future as I'm totally in love with the area!” Mariana admitted.

“The peaceful bond with nature is absolutely mesmerising, and the weather is just perfect.

“The local residents around here are incredibly friendly and open-hearted. The sense of community is super strong, and it's like the secret sauce that keeps everything thriving and everyone feeling great.”

Mariana grew up in the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which shares a similar tropical climate with the Sunshine Coast.

“The people there, like those along the Coast, are very outdoorsy and wonderfully welcoming,” Mariana said. “I completed my medical education at Universidade Federal Fluminense (usually known as UFF) in Niteroi, an island attached to Rio.

“I feel a strong sense of pride in graduating from such a renowned and competitive public medical school. UFF has a strong community focus, emphasising the social aspects of medical practice, which resonates with my values and makes me feel at home in Mapleton.

“Before relocating to Australia, I worked as a GP in Brazil for three years. To become eligible to practice as a doctor here, I had to go through multiple exams.

“Initially, I chose to work in the hospital system to familiarise myself with the Australian healthcare system's intricacies and guidelines before establishing my own practice and caring for my own patients."

Mariana’s enthusiasm for her work was obvious, and when I asked what she enjoys most about being a doctor, there was no hesitation in her response. “I love connecting with people and helping them when they're going through tough times. It's amazing to see how they improve and get back on track.

“Seeing patients of all ages doing well and living their best lives brings me so much happiness. Sometimes I wish there was a magical cure for all their health issues, but I am committed to always give my best to help them.

“I'm really lucky to have Dr Raewyn James as my mentor. She's super knowledgeable and has been a huge help in teaching me the ropes of general practice.”

When Mariana is not working or studying she loves hanging out with friends and family. “I also find so much comfort in getting lost in a good book or getting sucked into an exciting movie. Yoga helps me relax and recharge, and I can't get enough of the thrill of going camping, which seems to be my son’s favourite activity! We go camping with our buddies and have a blast exploring the beautiful sights of the Coast.”

It was time to let Mariana see a patient, so I squeezed in one more question - what is her overall approach to health?

“I firmly believe that health is not only about looking after your body, but rather a holistic approach towards your life.

“‘Healing the body, nurturing the soul, and embracing the mind’.”

Mapleton Medical Centre, Unit 3/5 Obi Obi Rd, Mapleton. Phone: 07 5445 7177