The doctor going to infinity and beyond

Dr Tony Schiemer was a marine engineer officer in the Australian Defence Force after originally graduating as an engineer.

But while working on naval vessels, he was drawn to the hands-on role that doctors, nurses and medics play in disaster relief and humanitarian aid missions, and he wanted to be part of it. 

“I never thought I would have a shot at getting into medical school, but I studied hard, managed to pass the GAMSAT and I got an offer to the University of Sydney," says Tony, who graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 2012, and a Master of International Public Health in 2014.

As part of his Bachelor of Medicine, Tony undertook clinical education experience at Concord Repatriation General Hospital in Sydney, as well as undertaking an exchange to Edinburgh, Scotland.

“I learned a lot and was certainly made to feel welcome right from the start," reflects Tony.

"I also very much enjoyed my exchange term with the University of Edinburgh and working in an emergency room just outside of Edinburgh city.

“As a group we were immersed in the real-life, clinical scene from year one of the medical school curriculum.

"We were seeing real patients on a weekly basis and learning in a hospital setting from the beginning, which was invaluable exposure.”

During his time as a resident doctor at Concord Hospital, Schiemer undertook flying lessons.

“I was teaching medical students in the hospital system and very much enjoying it, and wondered if I could apply my passion for teaching to the aviation environment," says Tony.

"So, after I got my private pilot licence, then my commercial licence, and finally an instructor rating, it allowed me to teach people how to fly, which I still enjoy doing now on a part-time basis.“

While still working for the Australian Defence Force, Schiemer completed his fellowship in General Practice (GP), drawing heavily on his public health training at the University of Sydney.

“Public health is naturally a very important focus for a GP and any doctor working in primary care," says Tony.

In 2017, Tony was sent to the UK where his love of medicine and aviation finally met.

He completed a Diploma of Aviation Medicine in conjunction with King's College London and the Royal College of Physicians.

“Part of this training included personal exposure to high-G manoeuvres in a centrifuge and flying in fast jet aircraft," explains Tony.

"This is so we were familiar with the environments in which our patients were working.”

After London, Tony expanded his skills further, but this time, he had to look beyond planet earth.

“I am very passionate about space exploration and aerospace medicine and completed a two-month course at the International Space University Space Studies Program in Strasbourg, France as well as a course in aviation and space medicine with NASA and the University of Texas Medical Branch,” says Tony.

Part of aerospace medicine focuses on anticipating astronauts' medical needs while on space missions.

“They’re dealing with microgravity, high exposure to radiation and long-duration flights where they might not have a doctor on board," explains Tony.

"We learned how to train the crew up to allow them to treat themselves, engage with doctors and other professionals on the ground via telemedicine and essentially talk through procedures if things go wrong.”

In 2019, Tony moved to Adelaide to work part-time as an aviation medicine specialist for the Air Force as well as a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Adelaide.

It was here that he completed a second specialty training program, this time in aerospace medicine, gaining fellowship in 2021.

“Being able to pass on clinical skills and watch students develop and grow and eventually master such critical history-taking and examination skills is very rewarding indeed.," says Tony.

He has continued his flying training, become an instructor, and commenced his professional flying career.

In early 2022 he moved to Wagga Wagga, NSW to pursue his passion further as a charter pilot flying into some of the most isolated airstrips in the country.

Tony will soon be taking up his next challenge in a dual role as an airline pilot and a medical officer flying De Havilland Canada DHC-8 aircraft for Air New Zealand.

“It’s the first time I’ve been able to combine the two roles of doctor and pilot in one job," says Tony.

"I’m basically one of the doctors for the airline and crew, so I help to make sure they’re healthy and able to do their job.

"It also involves passenger health as well as public health management, particularly after COVID.

"Ever since I was a kid, I was so excited about flying, as well as space, and I could never have envisioned that I could combine these passions with a medical degree.”