Dr Sonia Henry's book "Put Your Feet in the Dirt, Girl," lit a flame for the creation of this podcast. The desire to get to know more about this woman's life was top on our list. And that we did!

We sit down with this physiotherapist turned rural GP to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic redirected her life path from the hustle and bustle of city life for more meaning and connection in remote healthcare.

She was astounded by the breathtaking yet under-served regions of the Kimberleys and Northern New South Wales. Through her stories, Sonia reveals the stark disparities in healthcare access and systemic issues plaguing remote Indigenous communities.

We discuss the meaningful patient interactions that make GP work so unique, her passion for writing, and the balancing act of becoming a published author while practicing medicine full-time.

The episode wraps up with a deep dive into doctor wellbeing, particularly in rural settings. Sonia discusses the sense of community and connectedness often found in remote areas, in contrast to the isolation of urban environments.

Her heartfelt anecdotes shed light on the critical need for systemic changes to support healthcare professionals better.

This episode of It Takes Heart has CEO of cmr Sam Miklos hosting alongside Head of Talent and Employer Branding, Kate Coomber.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

More about Sonia's Charity of Choice:

MBA NSW (Medical Benevolent Association of NSW)
The Medical Benevolent Association of NSW-ACT (MBA NSW-ACT) is a registered ACNC charity run by Doctors for Doctors and their families. We provide counselling, case management referral and short-term financial assistance through times of crisis, illness, accident, mental health conditions, grief and loss of income to help doctors in NSW and ACT to recover and return to well-being and independence. We also run preventative workshops and peer support programs as well as actively advocating to improve the systems and workplaces that doctors work in. Visit https://www.mbansw.org.au for more information.

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Follow @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment on Linked In, @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment on Instagram, @cornerstonemedrec on TikTok and @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment on Facebook.

Imagine balancing a thriving dental career while exploring the natural wonders of Western Australia and homeschooling your kids on the road...

In this episode of "It Takes Heart," we sit down with Ellen Rogers, a dedicated dentist currently working with Cornerstone in Geraldton. Ellen speaks about her life pivot to locum dentistry after a severe foot injury during pandemic lockdowns, reigniting her passion for her profession.

Ellen dives into the unique contributions of neurodivergent professionals in dentistry and the critical role of locum dentists in regional areas. She challenges stereotypes, showing how locum roles can drive tremendous growth and quality care in rural communities.

And then comes the adventures of her transformed home-life with her partner stepping into the stay-at-home dad where the couple crafted interactive curriculum that made education exciting and adaptable across six states and covering 10,000 kilometers!

Tune in for a heartfelt and inspiring episode that underscores the value of dedication, adaptability, and community in healthcare.

This episode of It Takes Heart has CEO of cmr Sam Miklos hosting alongside Head of Talent and Employer Branding, Kate Coomber.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

More about Ellen's Charity of Choice:

ADA Dental Health Foundation
The Foundation's mandate is to improve the dental health of Australians who cannot easily access or afford dental care. The team around Australia coordinates the delivery of pro bono dental treatment to disadvantaged members of the community. Visit https://adadhf.org.au for more information.

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Follow @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment on Linked In, @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment on Instagram, @cornerstonemedrec on TikTok and @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment on Facebook.

In this episode, we sit down with the married RN duo, Helen and Nigel Naylor, whose careers have spanned Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the Middle East.

Explore the complexities and nuances of providing healthcare in remote areas through Helen's firsthand experiences in Kalbarri. With no on-site doctors, healthcare providers must step up with high autonomy and adaptability.

Hear about the intricacies of healthcare leadership and the pressures of adapting to new environments on short-term contracts.

Helen and Nigel discuss the personal motivations that drive them, such as staying connected with family, and share unique experiences of living in Australia, including encounters with local wildlife and the necessity of a snake policy.

They conclude with heartwarming anecdotes about the supportive, family-like atmosphere among agency nurses and offer invaluable advice for those considering a move to Australia.

This episode of It Takes Heart has CEO of cmr Sam Miklos hosting alongside Head of Talent and Employer Branding, Kate Coomber.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

More about Helen and Nigel's Charity of Choice:

The Western Australian Nurses Memorial Charitable Trust
The Trust awards grants for use by nurses and midwives to advance health care through education, research, practice and management in all health arenas in Western Australia. Visit www.wanursestrust.com.au for more information.

Get to know cmr better!
Follow @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment on Linked In, @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment on Instagram, @cornerstonemedrec on TikTok and @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment on Facebook.

CW//Mental Health Issues
We are excited to bring you this inspiring story, but with that, comes the guests truthful account of his mental health challenges and paralysing depression. If you feel you could be triggered by this content, you may want to skip this episode.

Today's guest is an incredible human.
As OAM and Queensland Australian of the Year, Dr Dinesh Palipana is a living demonstration of breaking down society barriers, particularly in the world of medicine. He was the first medical intern in Queensland with quadriplegia. He has reshaped the potential for not only graduating from medical school with a disability, but working as an emergency doctor.
Born in Sri Lanka in 1984, civil war, corruption and poverty shaped his early years and were the lens through which he encounters some of the biggest events in his life.
On the Brisbane motorway in 2010, when Dinesh was in medical school, his car spun out of control and he watched himself and his life literally being turned upside down. His medical training halted in that instant and he would spend the years that followed recovering as a patient with a spinal cord injury.
Today, Dinesh is a lawyer, a founding member of Doctors with Disabilities Australia. He's completed a clerkship at Harvard University. He's a senior lecturer at Griffith University and a spinal cord injury researcher. He currently also works in the emergency department at Gold Coast University Hospital. He is a senior advisor to the Disability Royal Commission and an ambassador to the Human Rights Commission's Includability Program.


Dr. Palipana opens up about his battle with depression, a struggle that began long before his spinal cord injury. Drawing inspiration from icons like Stephen Hawking and Christopher Reeve, Dr. Palipana's narrative underscores the importance of mental resilience and gratitude.

He recounts his transformation from feeling paralyzed by depression to celebrating life's simple pleasures and remarkable milestones, including writing his first book "Stronger" that's being adapted into a TV series.

As we discuss the evolving landscape of the healthcare system, Dr. Palipana's insights inspire us to champion inclusivity and empathy in medicine.

This episode promises to leave you motivated to support and empower diversity, challenging societal perceptions and inspiring future generations to break barriers.

Tune in for a truly inspiring conversation that celebrates the spirit of community care and transformation.

This episode of It Takes Heart has CEO of cmr Sam Miklos hosting alongside Head of Talent and Employer Branding, Kate Coomber.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

More about Dinesh's Charity of Choice:

Titans Together The charitable arm of the club, Titans Together, endeavours to be a community focused, commercially motivated organisation that is driven to make a difference in people’s lives. Titans Together actively support local schools, clubs, charities and community organisations through our programs, appearances and donations. All donations to Titans Together are used to drive a range of community projects across Indigenous education, inclusion projects like LEAGUEABILITY, as well as development, participation and high-performance football programs. Visit www.titans.com.au for

Get to know cmr better!
Follow @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment on Linked In, @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment on Instagram, @cornerstonemedrec on TikTok and @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment on Facebook.

What happens when a nurse trades a stable job for a life on the road in a customised Land Cruiser?

In this episode of It Takes Heart, we explore the inspiring journey of podcast guest India Priestley purchasing her "troopie" during the 2020 lockdowns and how her off-grid living setup has her creating a whole new community on the road.

Through vivid recounts of hitchhiking adventures and heartwarming patient interactions, India paints a picture of the adaptability and resilience required for remote healthcare roles. These stories illuminate the deep personal connections formed in smaller communities and the visible impact nurses can make outside of metropolitan hospitals.

Cultural considerations in remote Indigenous communities are also discussed as India emphasises the need for cultural sensitivity, respect, and education to bridge communication gaps and foster trust. She highlights the importance of respecting the deep connection Indigenous people have with their land.

This episode of It Takes Heart has CEO of cmr Sam Miklos hosting alongside Head of Talent and Employer Branding, Kate Coomber.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

More about India's Charity of Choice:

Red Dust inspires remote Indigenous communities through a unique ‘community-as-family’ model of health and well-being programs, that blend western health knowledge and traditional cultural knowledges. For over twenty-five years, they have partnered with community leaders and Elders to build resilience in young people and foster cross-cultural understanding through training and immersion experiences. Visit www.reddust.org.au for more information.

Get to know cmr better!
Follow @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment on Linked In, @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment on Instagram, @cornerstonemedrec on TikTok and @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment on Facebook.

Balancing your professional and personal life is no small feat – especially when your business partner is your spouse.

Sam and Norbert Miklos started cmr with $100,000 and a hard deadline of one year to prove their concept.

In this premiere episode of It Takes Heart, Sam recounts the couple’s tenacious journey from modest start-up to thriving recruitment powerhouse with more than 500 employees.

She recounts her unorthodox path from luxury retail and occupational therapy to recruitment and how Norbert juggled a career in IT with their fledgling business.

Sam also shares the lessons she’s learnt over 12 years as CEO, including her strategies for navigating uncertainty, why she embraces negative feedback and how to foster a culture of openness and learning.

The episode also reveals how Sam and Norbert balance home and work, from defining their roles to enforcing a one-day-a-week ban on ‘work talk’.

This episode of It Takes Heart is hosted by Kate Coomber, cmr’s Head of Talent and Employer Branding and the first employee hired by Sam in 2012.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

More about Sam’s Charity of Choice:

Rural Doctors Foundation established by country doctors, addresses the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural and remote communities in Australia. By supporting local health services and collaborating with residents, they strive to ensure everyone has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their location. Find out more at https://ruraldoctorsfoundation.org.au/

Get to know cmr better!
Follow @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment on Linked In, @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment on Instagram, @cornerstonemedrec on TikTok and @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment on Facebook.