Kirby White (physician)

Kirby White is an Australian physician who is a general practitioner in Bendigo and inventor. She was named Victoria's "Local Hero" and nominee for the 2021 Australian of the Year awards. Mattel created a 'Dr Kirby White' Barbie doll to honour her efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the American baseball player, see Kirby White.

Kirby White
Born
Charlton
EducationUniversity of Notre Dame Australia
University of Melbourne
Deakin University
Medical career
ProfessionGeneral practitioner

Early life and education

White attended Deakin University, where she graduated with a degree in biological sciences in 2005. She moved to the University of Melbourne for graduate studies. After graduating she worked as a medical scientist in Melbourne. She eventually returned to academia, working toward a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Notre Dame Australia.[1]

Career

White works as a general practitioner in Bendigo. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, White realised that they would run out of disposable gowns by the third week.[2] She launched Gowns for Doctors, an initiative that received over $40,000 in crowd funding to create re-usable, launderable hospital gowns.[3] Kirby then worked with commercial textile companies and volunteers to create thousands of gowns.[3]

White was nominated as Victoria's "Local hero" at the Australian of the Year awards for her efforts in creating washable, re-usable gowns for doctors treating patients with COVID-19.[4][5]

In August 2021, Barbie announced that they were creating a White Barbie doll honouring her efforts to protect frontline staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.[6][7]

Personal life

White has two children and enjoys classic vintage cars.[1]

References
  1. "Our Doctors – The GP Clinic Bendigo". thegpclinic.com.au. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  2. "My Blog". arsematilde.com.br. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  3. Nakos, Nicholas (1 May 2020). "Gowns for Doctors reaches a milestone". Bendigo Advertiser. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  4. "Dr Kirby White - Australian of the Year". www.australianoftheyear.org.au. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  5. Greville, Juanita (18 January 2021). "Local heroes stepping up to answer the call of their communities". Queensland Country Life. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  6. "Vaccinologist Barbie: Prof Sarah Gilbert honoured with a doll". the Guardian. 4 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  7. Price, Kimberley (5 August 2021). "Aussie GP honoured as one of six special Barbies". Daily Liberal. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
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