Dr Kovats is a general practitioner (GP) and has been a visiting medical officer at Crookwell District Hospital since 2004.

She founded the Women’s Medical Clinic in 1993 and later The Women’s Health Cottage in 1999, after outgrowing her former premises. She also founded the Health Care Centre in 2008.

Hannah attained Dux of Loreto Convent in Kirribilli and then graduated from the University of NSW in 1979. She was “lucky enough” to do a three month rural placement whilst a resident at the McKell Medical Centre in Goulburn to complete her training.

When it was done, she returned to Sydney where she set up a practice. However, her time in Goulburn had left a lasting impression.

She had married while back in Sydney and became a mother of her first son, Charlie. She still managed to run a busy general practice in Five Dock. “In 1987, Hannah returned to Goulburn to practice with Dr Chris Harman and whilst there were few female doctors in Goulburn and because women generally preferred to be examined by a woman doctor, I tended to attract a higher portion of women and girls as my patients,” Dr Kovats said.

“Women are often more comfortable discussing issues with a female doctor.”

Dr Kovats met and married her second husband Grant, a Bigga grazier.

She saw the need for a female GP in Crookwell and was able to lease rooms at the Crookwell Hospital. She also established the Women’s Medical Clinic.

During this time Dr Kovats’ second son was born and she managed to juggle motherhood and her career.

The clinic outgrew the hospital rooms and she decided to look for premises outside the hospital.

They managed to purchase a house in Crookwell which became known as the Women’s Health Cottage.

Dr Kovats was later joined by other female medical colleagues to establish the Crookwell Health Care Centre, a comprehensive medical service.

The centre now has five lady doctors, 4 practice nurses and is supported by a loyal administrative team.

The Health Care Centre is involved with the ANU Rural Medical School and Registrar training, contributing to the training of young doctors and encouraging them to hopefully be attracted to a career in rural medicine.

“It takes a certain type of person to become a doctor in a rural or regional community.” Hannah said.

Dr Kovats is also a visiting medical officer (VMO) at the Crookwell Hospital sharing the roster with two other doctors.

Dr Kovats was humbled to be recognised by the Queen’s Birthday Honour for her work in women’s health but said it is really a team effort.

“I could not be doing what I am without the tremendous help and support I have received and continue to receive,” she said.

“I need to thank my family especially my two sons and my parents who made tremendous sacrifices so I could go to university. The staff at our medical centre and the hospital, other colleagues over my 33 years as a doctor and GPs who have supported me and at times tolerated me, in what I have endeavored to achieve.”

Dr Kovats said that part of her focus these days is to encourage medical students to embrace the possibilities of becoming a rural GP and the more personal service that it offers.

“I am encouraging and training young doctors who will one day take over from us when we retire,” she said.

“There have been many changes in medicine and the technology we use to assist our patients today. Information Technology (IT) is a huge change in practice operations and the storage of patient’s files electronically assists us greatly.

There has also been a shift in the expectations of patients in relation to outcomes too.

Nowadays technology is helping doctors with their patients access ‘Telehealth’ (live video between doctors, their patients and specialists). This form of video link by the internet is especially good if you are a patient that is restricted by travel to access a certain specialist’s advice you may require.

“Rural patients are more appreciative and very tolerant and realistic in their expectations of local doctors and are a pleasure to work with as a group.

“As a doctor you are not anonymous in the community and involvement becomes far more personal, which in itself can be rewarding and challenging at the same time.

Dr Hannah Kovats is another woman in a great community who gives support to many of her peers and says it is team work with many different players on the one side.

“This medal is not mine alone, it will be shared by my many friends, family, staff and colleagues.” Hannah concluded.