Welcome to the ISTM Member Spotlight, where we celebrate the people behind the practice of travel medicine. Meet Jenny Visser, your Membership Committee chair. Jenny is the senior lecturer, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
What inspired you to pursue a career in travel medicine/migration health?
As a primary care doctor I was seeing patients seeking pre-travel health advice. As a keen traveller myself I realised that, although sometimes challenging, these consultations were a welcome reprieve. Not only were these patients happy, (generally) healthy, seeking (and taking) preventative health advice, I was also able to travel vicariously through them.
Describe your current role and key areas of focus.
I work part time in a stand alone travel medicine clinic in a primary health care setting, seeing a wide range of travellers. The rest of my time is spent as academic lead convening and teaching Otago University’s post graduate qualifications in travel medicine and undertaking research as time allows.
I have also held a number of leadership roles in travel medicine. I am past president of the New Zealand Society of Travel Medicine and immediate past president of the Asia Pacific Travel Health Society. I have been a counsellor of ISTM and am the current Chair of the ISTM Membership Committee and Chair of the Expedition and Wilderness Medicine Interest Group.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
Clinically, it is improving the chances that the travellers I see will have a great trip free of any major travel-related health issues. From a teaching perspective, it is enabling health professionals to give comprehensive, up to date and evidence informed travel health advice. From a governance perspective, it is helping nurture the growth of travel medicine in NZ and the Asia Pacific Region.
How did you first become involved with ISTM?
I joined ISTM in 1999, attending my first ISTM Conference in Montreal. From then on, I was hooked!
What has ISTM membership meant to you—professionally or personally?
The highlight of ISTM membership has been the amazing conferences but also the increasing array of excellent online learning opportunities.
It is great to feel part of an international community of like-minded professionals, even if how we deliver travel health care may differ from country to country. Meeting with colleagues from around the globe, sharing insights, challenges and success stories always helps put things into perspective.
Best of all, ISTM members are a fun and interesting bunch; from the newest member to our most decorated “veterans” everyone is approachable, interested and interesting and fun to be with. I have made many lifelong friends.
What is your favorite destination or travel story?
That is a really hard one, but one of my most rewarding travel destinations/experiences has to be Antarctica. I have been lucky enough to spend 10 seasons there as the ship’s doctor on an oceanographic research vessel. The destination is breathtaking, many hours have been spent watching the scenery, wildlife and weather. It has also been a privilege working with dedicated teams of scientists who are unlocking the continent’s scientific secrets.
What’s your “travel health must-have” when you’re on the road?
Face mask, alcohol based hand sanitiser, sunscreen, insect repellant, paracetamol and loperamide…just in case and hopefully never used!