09/12/2025
When my former mentor retired, he asked me to take over the services in Cooma. I’m really enjoying my 2 weekdays + a weekend a month in this rural town. Should also add, minor corrections needed in the article, my paternal grandmother whom I sadly never met was the traditional birth attendant. My maternal grandfather was the one who lost 2 wives from child birth.
For Dr Sim Hom Tam, delivering babies isn’t just a job - it’s part of his story. Born in East Timor and now living in Canberra, Dr Tam grew up surrounded by the power of women’s stories. His grandmother was a traditional birth attendant, and her tales of delivering babies in remote communities left a lasting impression.
“My paternal grandfather lost two wives and a daughter during childbirth,” Dr Tam says. “That kind of experience stays with a family. It definitely shaped my path into obstetrics and women’s health.”
Today, Dr Tam is a specialist obstetrician-gynaecologist who brings his skills, empathy and calm under pressure to the team at Cooma Hospital and Health Service, where he works one week each month.
“It’s a small unit, and that’s what I love about it. Everyone knows each other, there’s great teamwork, and people are just… friendly.”
Find out more about Dr Tam at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/snswlhd/news/latest-news/meet-team-dr-sim-hom-tam
Did you know? Southern offers a range of elective surgical procedures at Batemans Bay, Cooma, Moruya, Goulburn, Queanbeyan and South East Regional Hospitals. If you’re planning surgery, ask your doctor or surgeon whether it can be done closer to home. It could mean less travel, more convenience, and the same high-quality care.
Find out more at nsw.gov.au/SouthernSurgicalServices
📸Dr Sim Hom Tam at Cooma Hospital with Nurse Unit Manager Lucinda Ingersole
