Dr James Morong was born in New York City, raised in Los Angeles, has practised medicine in Chicago and Sydney, and is now an Attending Obstetrician Gynecologist at Hawaii Permanente Medical Group in Maui.
This truly global doctor knew from a very young age that he wanted to practice medicine.
James pursued his undergraduate degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University in Montreal, Canada before moving to Australia to study his medical degree.
“I became aware of the UQ-Ochsner Doctor of Medicine program at a Graduate Fair during my undergraduate degree, and the opportunity to acquire a global medical education in Brisbane and New Orleans was unique and exciting to me,” James said.
“I feel my experience as an international student in Canada made my transition to Australia and the medical program a bit more seamless.
“The first two years in Brisbane provided me with the foundation principles of Medicine that I still carry in my practice today.
“History taking, physical examination and investigations are all skills I use on a daily basis, I’m very appreciative that developing these skills was a priority of the program.
“The two years in Brisbane also provided an introduction into sub-specialities and after completing an observership in Obstetrics and Gynecology, I knew it was the right path for him.”
James became interested in healthcare disparities in the Obstetrics and Gynecology fields and completed a Master of Philosophy research project, comparing maternal mortality in the USA and Australia, concurrently with his medical degree.
“The third and fourth years in New Orleans brought the opportunity to be in the hospital setting at Ochsner Health and practice as ‘acting interns’, working alongside residents and learning in a very hands-on way.
“During my fourth year, I completed a sub-internship at The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and fell in love with both the program and sub-specialty.
After graduating from the UQ-Ochsner Doctor of Medicine Program in 2016 James matched in Obstetrics & Gynecology at UIC.
Following his residency in Chicago, James decided to move back to Australia in 2021 and worked as Career Medical Officer in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Blacktown Hospital in Sydney.
“I’ve been enjoying the Sydney lifestyle and all it has to offer, with my husband Sean and our dog Paul.”
“The experience has given me a more global understanding of my speciality.
“I’ve now relocated to Hawaii for a new adventure and I’m working as an attending Obstetrician Gynecologist at Hawaii Permanente Medical Group in Maui.”
“This new role is an exciting career advancement and also an opportunity to work in the LGBTQ / transgender gynecology space.”
As it happens, Hawaii is perfectly situated between his in-laws on the East Coast of Australia and his family in California.