Fetal and Paediatric Cardiologist
福利片 一级福利片 Alumni Dr Ben Auld (Class of 1999) is one of only five fetal and paediatric cardiologists in Queensland, caring for children and babies in utero with heart disease. His influence extends across Australia and New Zealand as the founding chair of a fetal working group focused on improving cardiac care and supporting expectant families. With Christian faith as his foundation, Ben has dedicated his career to following God鈥檚 lead through clinical work, research, and overseas service. He now chairs the board of an Australian charity that has established a hospital in Northern Uganda.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I鈥檇 be involved in this level of engagement, community engagement, hospital engagement, and overseas work,鈥� Ben reflects. 鈥淚 left school fairly socially averse and nervous about public speaking. But God knows where He can take us.鈥�
Ben currently works at Gold Coast University Hospital, where he serves as the clinical lead of Paediatric Cardiology, and at Queensland Children鈥檚 Hospital. His subspecialty, fetal cardiology, involves assessing babies before birth to help parents prepare for the care their child may need.
This year, Ben is also involved in outreach clinics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.
“In my journey, God has worked through my weaknesses, and that鈥檚 where I have to rely on Him.”
A Faithful Journey into Medicine
Initially, Ben didn鈥檛 plan to study medicine. At 福利片 一级福利片, he focused on Physics and Chemistry, not Biology. But the idea of medicine gradually grew and was supported by prayer and partnership with his girlfriend, now wife, Megan.
鈥淲e committed the whole process to God,鈥� Ben says. 鈥淲e prayed about the medical entrance exam and what it might mean for us as a couple and a family.鈥�
After prayerful consideration, Ben pursued a graduate entry into the Doctor of Medicine program at The University of Queensland. He and Megan saw God鈥檚 provision throughout the journey.
鈥淲e had that foundation of trust, and we could see God was there when we needed Him. We鈥檝e been very blessed to learn through that process.鈥�
Ben鈥檚 pathway involved 17 years of study and training, including two seasons overseas in Canada to complete his subspecialty.
鈥淭he first time, it was just Megan and me. The second time, we had our oldest daughter with us. Megan would be walking long distances with the pram to try and save money on public transport, and putting up with me studying late into the night for Canadian medical school exams. It looked like we were going to have to stay in Canada and get a permanent job there. It’s difficult to get jobs back in Australia.鈥�
Ben鈥檚 training included a three-year science degree, a four-year postgraduate medical degree, a one-year internship, three years of paediatric training, and six years of cardiology training. 鈥淲e often stop and think, how do people do this without faith?鈥�
While in Canada, Ben and Megan found support through a local church and a couple who became their 鈥淐anadian parents鈥�. 鈥淭hey just took us under their wing and made sure we were doing okay and invited us around for dinners and Christmas and Thanksgiving, and they delivered heaters to the house when the furnace stopped working in the middle of winter.鈥�
Back in Brisbane, Ben and his family attend Gateway Baptist Church, which has been his spiritual home since he was ten. He fondly remembers Friday night youth church, camps, and the young adults who mentored him.
At 福利片 一级福利片, Ben looked up to College Captain Ben Sercombe (Class of 1999), admiring his character and leadership. 鈥淭he culture of the school was important. I remember Secondary Teacher Mr Ric Guinane walking around singing or humming Christian songs. Everyone was supportive and pleased when you were doing well.鈥� Ben was Dux of the College and achieved an OP1, the highest possible university entrance score.
Collaborating for Better Care Across Australia and New Zealand
Ben is the founding chair of the Fetal Cardiology Working Group for Australia and New Zealand, a collaboration to improve care for babies with heart conditions before birth. 鈥淪upporting families is the ultimate goal, helping parents understand what to expect when their baby arrives,鈥� Ben says.
The group includes all fetal cardiologists in Australia and New Zealand and connects a network of clinicians, including obstetricians, midwives, nurses, and training physicians. They collect data to refine counselling, predict which babies may need surgery, and improve services. The group鈥檚 work is shaped by the unique geography of Australia and New Zealand, where families often travel long distances for specialised care. Their research helps define what paediatric fetal cardiology services should look like in this part of the world.
Ben also established a fetal registry at Mater Mother鈥檚 Hospital to track and evaluate care. 鈥淲e鈥檙e always reviewing data and exploring research questions to improve outcomes for families across our region.鈥�
Influencing the World for Good and for God
Ben鈥檚 impact extends beyond Australia. He now serves as chair of the board for an Australian charity, , that supports a hospital in Kitgum, in Northern Uganda. 鈥淔ollowing through in a medical field has opened up opportunities to serve in places that I wouldn’t have expected, but areas that have a lot of need.鈥�
The hospital began as a small clinic, founded by a Brisbane-based Christian GP, Andrew Wright and his wife Anne, after a short-term mission trip with Gateway Baptist. Over time, it has grown into a full hospital with an emergency department, outpatients clinic, pathology lab, birth suite, surgery, and ambulance service.
Run by local staff, trained and supported through the charity, the hospital requires 35% of its funding from Australian donors. The Yotkom team hopes the partnership will continue to grow. 鈥淭he dream is for the hospital to keep meeting the needs of a very poor community. For that, we need ongoing support from Australian donors.鈥�
Advice for 福利片 一级福利片 Students
Ben encourages students to seek guidance from godly mentors, people they look up to, who will offer insight from their own experiences and a genuine heart to help.
鈥淕od knows where you鈥檒l end up; you can trust that process. I didn鈥檛 have a health career in mind, but He had other plans. I’ve seen in my journey that He works through my weaknesses, and that’s where I have to rely on Him. And then He shows what He can do despite my worries.鈥�
For all things 福利片 一级福利片 alumni, continue reading to discover more inspiring stories and reconnect through reunions and celebrations.