THE NICOLE YAP

Story
Dr Nicole Yap is President of the Australian Chinese Medical Association of Victoria. A successful plastic surgeon and graduate from one of Australias top universities, has a lifetime of achievement which is a story that is largely untold. While outwardly western in appearance, Chinese blood runs through her veins thanks to her paternal Chinese father. Her phenomenal work ethic and philanthropic efforts is both admired and deserves greater attention. The Asian Executive invited Dr Yap to tell her own story which, it hopes, serves as a role model for other young women from all backgrounds to aspire towards.
I am often asked why am I the President of the Australian Chinese Medical Association of Victoria (ACMAV), when I dont even look Chinese! My appearance is but the external product of two distinct cultures. My parents met when my Chinese-Malaysian father was completing his Pharmacy degree, and my Australian-Irish mother worked as a dental nurse. I have been drawn to challenges since birth, arriving in the world feet first. Six years later my brother joined me, born headfirst so, naturally, he is a more relaxed and easygoing individual!
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In Pursuit of Excellence

Both sides of my family raised me to have a strong work ethic. My father emigrated when he was sixteen, leaving behind a family of nine, boarded at Wesley college, then completed his Pharmacy degree and MBA shortly after. He has spent the majority of his career as the Director of Pharmacy at the Royal Womens Hospital. He instilled in me the same determined motivation, with the constant reminder that there is always room for improvement. My mother, and my mothers family, also upheld these values. I spent many holidays with my maternal grandparents enjoying the true Australian lifestyle. My grandfather, a self-made businessman, taught me the art of mental mathematics every morning as we drove the ute through the farm to feed the cattle. I roamed the farm in gumboots and a smock, determined to lasso calves - this task once led to a wild ride on the back of one of these terrified animals straight into the electric fence. No one could explain to my grandfather why the calf suddenly bore through two rows of fencing! My Australian lifestyle was interspersed with strong Chinese traditions and principles. My fathers extended family eventually moved to Australia, and together we celebrated Chinese New Year, Moon Festival, and any other reason to have a traditional Chinese banquet! Despite growing up here, my Chinese roots remained strong. I was using chopsticks interchangeably with knife and fork, shoes were to be left outside and sequined slippers only, were worn inside the house. Television was only allowed after 6pm on a Sunday. My Malaysian Uncle instructed my parents on discipline, by helpfully supplying a cane. It was left in the shed, and it was my duty to collect it and explain why it should, or should not, be used. It certainly taught me how to debate! I attended Mandeville Loreto Convent, which was then a boutique convent school. There, they instilled the concept that women are called upon to do great things. School work was complemented with other extracurricular activities. I completed my AMusA Pianoforte performance diploma by Year 10, and also studied Violin, Harp, Music Theory, History and Composition. Other activities included ballet and modern dance. Regardless of this busy lifestyle, dad was insistent that I attend Chinese classes every Sunday for 5 years.
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My drive to assist others less fortunate grew throughout these years. By this stage of my education, the school was attracting a lot of Asian students, many of whom did not have a good grasp of the English language. I suddenly found myself acting like my parents, and took them under my wing. My career started after completing my work experience with an anaesthetist, and witnessed a set of triplets being born by caesarean section. It was then I realised that I wanted to be on the other side of the drapes, where I could be helping people by using my technical skills. I began my study of Medicine at Melbourne University, with the intention of becoming a surgeon.

University life was definitely an eye-opener, and I grasped the opportunity with great enthusiasm. I learnt to ski, obtained by Private Pilots licence, and sailing certificate. After hours I worked as a sales person at Myer, and on weekends, played in a quartet at special events. I trained for four years in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgery, and completed my fellowship in General Surgery. I met some wonderful mentors during this time, all of them sharing in my sense of altruism and dedication. Some of them were involved in a group called Interplast, an inspiring group of surgeons and nurses who donate their time and skills to work in developing countries, offering services that were not otherwise available. During this time, I was invited

to become a member of Australian Chinese Medical Association of Victoria (ACMAV). I was extremely impressed by the association. The comradeship and networking was strongly evident. The educational talks were well organized and topical, and the delicious banquets they provided were worth remembering, too! Over time, I was elected as a committee member, and became more familiar with the history of ACMAV, realising that I was in good company. It may seem surprising now, but a few decades ago, Chinese people in Australia were still seen as a racial minority. There were very few Asian doctors working in Australia, which bought with it a sense of isolation. This was not just limited to the Chinese medical population. In the 1980s, Dr. George Santorno, president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), and of Italian descent, felt it important to provide support groups for non Anglo-Saxons working in the industry. Together with his friend Dr. Tom Tsiang, the Australian Chinese Association was founded. It allowed for support, networking, and educational meetings. In 2003, the Foundation as we know it today, was born. ACMAV Foundation is a charitable fund that facilitates healthcare initiatives both locally and internationally. Locally, we formed a supportive relationship with the Chinese Cancer Society in Victoria. This is purely a volunteer workforce, comprising of health professionals that provide community education, nursing, social work and dietetics. The Foundation has also been instrumental in facilitating the transfer of patients from developing countries to Melbourne, and sponsoring life changing speciality surgery not otherwise available to them. International projects have included Africa, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Vietnam, Nepal, Vanuatu, Fiji, East Timor, Cambodia and China. When I became involved, we were assisting a young Vietnamese woman called Hanh. Her story was distressful and traumatic. Hanh was the mother of a young son when, during a marital dispute, her husband poured boiling oil over her. She suffered horrific injuries, with 80% of her body sustaining severe burns. Not expected to live, she was attended to by the nuns in the local monastery. Amazingly she survived, but not without dire consequences. Her head and neck were fused to her chest, so that her neck

Graduation day with Professor Penington.

Getting ready for life changing surgery

Vision without a task is only a dream. A task without a vision is but drudgery. But a vision with a task is a dream fulfilled.
Sitting with Travis my brother on the left and cousin Wai Sin at a family gathering

Welcome dinner by medical directors of the Jiatong Hospital

Violin was a passion with a young Nicole

was bent forwards, and she was rendered unable to close her eyes or her mouth. Her fingers and hand were contracted to a point where they were not functional. She could not work or look after her son. She just existed in a community that could hardly afford to keep her, and her son was left in the care of his grandparents. Her plight was so severe that when an Australian visitor found her, help was immediately sought. She required multiple procedures, most of which were best done on Australian soil. Finally, a request was sent to the Foundation. With dogged insistence Dr. Theong Low, proceeded with the difficult task of organising Visas, and coordinating

the management plan. My friend, plastic surgeon Ian Holten and his team at St John of God Hospital in Geelong generously provided us their time, skills, and hospitality. Multiple procedures later, she is now able function normally, work, ride her bike and look after her son. This was one of our most memorable accomplishments. My first trip to China, was hardly to help others, but more of a Culinary experience. I had been attending cooking lessons under the tuition of celebrity chef Elizabeth Chong. She arranged a month long eating experience throughout 7 provinces of China. Whilst there I was fortunate to find my remaining relatives in Guangzhou. My journey commenced
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at an inner-city apartment address of my grand aunt. After interrogating the locals and employing the local taxi driver for the day, I ended up in the countryside, and eventually within the inner sanctums of the army barracks. My grand aunt had suffered a stroke and was living with her grandson and his wife, who was a colonial in the army. I returned to China last year, on the Foundations first International mission. In collaboration with Starfish Orphanage, and Xian Jiatong Hospital, we took a medical team with the support of Dr. Ian Holten and Dr. Terence Beh. On our only day off, we visited the Terracotta Warriors of the Qin Dynasty. I was fortunate to meet the last surviving farmer who discovered the site in 1974, and he kindly autographed a note to my Chinese name, Yap Fai Sim. Viewing the extensive exhibition of archaeological sites, I was struck by the vast display of craftsmanship and grandeur. The rest of the week, we performed thirteen life changing cleft lip and palate procedures. These children, some younger than twelve months, had been abandoned due to deformities. Many of these children were being cared for by volunteers both, from China and from the United States. Amanda de Lange, a Dutch-born South African, had dedicated her life to helping these children. She slept at the orphanage and was on call around the clock. For more complicated medical conditions such as Spina Bifida and cardiac conditions, her goal was to find adoptive parents for the children who within their own country, were able to pay for any medical expenses they required. We felt very small in the scheme of things. Our team involved the hospital staff during the procedures , giving instructive advice when asked, and Ian and myself, gave formal educational lectures, which assisted us in building great relationships for the future. Sadly, Amanda de Lange passed away recently from metastatic cancer, and she will be greatly missed. It is now my personal mission to make sure the Foundation continues in the pursuit of improving lives less fortunate. Our mission in Xian was somewhat marred when a motorcycle gang mugged us. I had everything taken from me, including my passport and Visa, rendering me unable to fly out with the others. I soon realised that without identification,
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Dr Theong Low, Prof Bai, from Jiatong Hospital and myself

Yin Cheong and Valda on their wedding day

My Australian lifestyle was interspersed with strong Chinese traditions and principles. My fathers extended family eventually moved to Australia, and together we celebrated Chinese New Year, Moon Festival, and any other reason to have a traditional Chinese banquet! Despite growing up here, my Chinese roots remained strong.
it is nearly impossible to do anything even something as simple as finding accommodation! It took four days to obtain the exit Visa, and for three days I did not eat as I only had enough money to pay for the emergency passport and Visa. As I wandered the inner streets of Beijing, I experienced the real nuts and bolts of China - elderly citizens fixing shoes on the street, taking up hems with an old Singer sewing machine, eating fast food cooked over a gas burner...It certainly was a time for reflection, and I realised just how simple life could be. I also got a renewed appreciation of how lucky I was to be an Australian Surgeon! Back on home ground, my journey continues with just as many challenges, and I intend to take them on with the full dedication instilled in me by the fusion of two cultures. My Breast Oncoplastic practice is an evolving speciality, and my role as the President of the ACMAV allows my team and I to explore new frontiers in helping those less fortunate. In both roles, I look forward to meeting many more inspirational people, so that I too can give back. I look towards the wider community to assist the Foundation and I in our endeavours, and donations can be made via the ACMAV website. In the words of Winston Churchill, we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
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