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Gold Coast Health Medical Director of Clinical Haematology Dr Squires has found the perfect balance between a demanding medical career and elite-level cycling.
Dr Squires leads Gold Coast Health's haematology service, overseeing a team of specialist clinicians who care for patients with complex blood disorders, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
"I'm incredibly proud of our haematology service and what we're able to provide for our community," Dr Squires said.
The role keeps her busy, but outside the hospital Dr Squires has developed another passion in the form of long-distance cycling.
That passion recently took her to Niseko, Japan to compete in the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships after unexpectedly qualifying at an event in Brisbane.
"I didn't actually believe them at first - I thought one of my friends was pulling my leg,” she said.
Encouraged by her partner, Dr Squires embraced the opportunity to pull on the green and gold and represent Australia on the world stage.
The championship event featured a challenging 140-kilometre course with approximately 2,500 metres of elevation, requiring months of preparation alongside a full clinical workload.
Using a structured training program, Dr Squires often starts her day before dawn.
"I was up at 4.30 this morning to train," she said prior to departing for Japan.
The discipline required for endurance cycling is not unlike the commitment needed in healthcare, where long hours, resilience and focus are part of everyday life.
For Dr Squires, cycling also provides a welcome reset from the emotional and intellectual demands of medicine.
"I think it's almost a form of meditation," she said.
"It's a way to get away from work and actually just be in the moment."
She is not alone in her active lifestyle, describing the wider haematology team as one of the fittest in the hospital, with colleagues participating in sports ranging from netball to rock climbing and Masters competitions.
On race day, Dr Squires placed 15th out of 30 women in her age group, but importantly she was the fastest Australian in the group.
“The best part of the day was the camaraderie between riders from all over the world,” Dr Squires said.
“While we were competing, most of us are amateurs just there to have a great time, so it was a brilliant day.”
Her next goal is to qualify for the UCI Gravel Championships in France next year, with her qualifying race happening in October.
Whether leading a specialist medical service or tackling a world championship cycling course, Dr Squires continues to demonstrate the determination, dedication and passion that underpin success both in healthcare and beyond.
