Dear friend of Jean Hailes

Rumours, myths, old wives tales; I’m sure you’ve come across a few of these in your life, and there is certainly plenty of misinformation in the health field.

I was raised in a medical household and have worked in women’s health for 20 years; so you’d think I’d know how to separate the myths from the facts! Yet, when Jean Hailes published a new health information brochure recently to dispel common health myths, I was stunned to learn that some things which I’d thought to be true were actually false!

In this edition of the magazine, we look at the area of nutrition, where there is a lot of misinformation and conflicting advice. I have always believed that your health is on your plate. I really enjoy going to my local market and talking to the store holders about what’s good this week and what’s in season. Personally, I would much rather eat a fresh juicy orange than take a vitamin C tablet. We all lead busy lives and there is a lot of advertising for vitamin pills, but do we ever stop to ask if we really need them?

I’m so glad that we have the expertise and knowledge here at Jean Hailes to tackle this very important issue.

The article on breast health is a timely reminder for all of us to take care of ourselves and not put up with niggling health issues. Why could I always find time to book the kids’ dentists appointments, book the car in for a service, book the dog in at the vet, but making an appointment with my GP to address my own health seemed to always land in the ‘too hard’ basket?

Some of my fondest memories of my mother are of her one liners - often said with a laugh or smile but with huge meaning. One was “You have to look after yourself.” It seems like such a simple request but in reality, it’s not always easy to put into practice. The other was, “When a woman is not fit and healthy, the wheels can fall off.” This was behind her absolute passion for keeping women well – quite often women are the lynch pin in families or communities.

Incredibly, it’s been 20 years since we first opened the doors here at Jean Hailes and the expertise, passion and dedication of our staff and clinicians continue to grow every year. The real treat for me is picking up the phone and talking to women, finding out what worries them, confuses them and what further information needs they have. It is women’s stories that continue to amaze me. Most importantly, the feedback and support from women like you around Australia enables us to deliver healthcare, education and research more effectively.

P.S. I seemed to have avoided the topic of ‘relaxation’, but there’s a reason; I’m not good at it – I need professional help! If anyone has any tips for me on how to do it better, I’d love to hear from you.

Janet Michelmore, AO
Director

Janet can be contacted on 1800 JEAN HAILES (532 642)

Content Updated February 2012