Volunteering is in Ruth Bishop’s blood.

Growing up on a farm north-west of Canberra, she and her two younger sisters watched as her parents contributed to their local community through volunteering: for Landcare Australia, the Hospital Auxiliary, and the Rural Fire Service.

A national research organisation conducts extensive marine science missions in the southern oceans of Australia. These voyages, often lasting more than a month, are typically 3–6 days away from the nearest medical facility. Ensuring the health and safety of approximately 40 personnel per voyage is critical to the success of these complex expeditions.
In such remote environments, access to advanced clinical capability, emergency preparedness, and continuous care is essential.

Aspen Medical has delivered remote healthcare services on multiple offshore energy platforms located around Australia’s coastline. These operations are typically hundreds of kilometres from shore, in highly regulated, safety-critical environments. The nature of the work—long rosters, physical demands and isolation—places increased pressure on health systems, requiring a robust, self-contained clinical capability.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated Australia’s need for accessible, consistent virtual health services. Aspen Medical was initially engaged by a national government health agency to support urgent pandemic response efforts, providing clinical triage, remote patient monitoring and critical health advice to the public.

It’s not often that an employee works across the whole company.

And Ben Clare is keen for everyone to know that fact.

As Disability Inclusion Advisor at Aspen Medical, Ben’s excited about the difference this new position can make.