Dr. Urszula Carr initially wanted to learn English. The United Kingdom, where she moved, offered her a PhD, specialisation, reputation, a husband, and four daughters. However, she decided to seek happiness at the other end of the world, which turned her life upside down. Dr. Urszula Carr now works as a pathologist in central Sydney. In an interview with Medonet, she discusses why she chose Australia, what she sees under the microscope daily, how she identifies sunbathers as foreigners, and why she trades the bush and ocean for dusty metropolises during holidays.
“I saw it as a way to combine scientific and practical medical work,” – says Dr. Urszula Carr about her profession, which involves diagnosing diseases by examining tissues under a microscope, typically collected during biopsies or surgeries. Although she enjoys her work, she wouldn’t choose this specialisation again. “The field is rapidly changing and becoming digitalised. If artificial intelligence can efficiently handle histopathological analysis, the need for pathologists will decrease.”
After moving to Australia, Dr. Carr experienced a family tragedy that put her in a very difficult situation. Paradoxically, this was a moment of significant changes in her professional life.
This article is based on the personal experiences of Dr. Urszula Carr and contains her private opinions.
Professional Journey
Dr. Urszula Carr is a pathologist with 16 years of experience in dermatopathology, the pathology of skin diseases. After completing her medical studies at the Medical University of Lublin, she pursued doctoral studies at the University of Leeds (England). She later worked as a histopathologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust. After moving to Australia in 2009, she worked at the Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia as a dermatopathologist. Since 2016, she has been working at Kossard Dermatopathologists. In March 2022, she founded her own company, MedicRevive, where she coaches medics experiencing burnout.
She is an enthusiast of artificial intelligence and digital pathology. Privately, she loves traveling the world, practicing Shotokan karate, and running long distances. In her free time, she enjoys sailing and skiing.
Paulina Wójtowicz, Medonet.pl: You graduated from Medical School in Lublin in 1993. Then you left the country. Why?
Dr. Urszula Carr: Honestly, I had no intention of leaving Poland. I just wanted to learn English. I chose the United Kingdom.
Paulina Wójtowicz, Medonet.pl: How did your English studies go?
Dr. Urszula Carr: I thought they were going well. I had learned some English in school, so I had a basic foundation, but when I arrived, I realized that I couldn’t understand anything, and no one could understand me. So, I began to study diligently from a practical perspective: I spent as much time as I could with English people, lived with them, and constantly listened to tapes. I still remember traveling on the metro with a Walkman in my pocket and listening to thousands of minutes of recordings. Overall, it took me two years to learn.
Paulina Wójtowicz: What made you decide to stay there?
Dr. Urszula Carr: I simply liked England. I started looking for a job.
Paulina Wójtowicz: In the 1990s, Polish medical diplomas were not recognized there. How did you manage to find work?
I had two choices: either take the medical exam for foreigners or look for opportunities in research. I dismissed the first option because the exam was very difficult and required long months of intense preparation, during which I wouldn’t have any income. The second option seemed quite sensible—I was fascinated by science and saw myself in research. So, I started looking for grants because only external funding would allow me to do a PhD in the UK. I succeeded, and that’s how I ended up at the University of Leeds.
Paulina WójtowiczWhat did you do there?
I studied immunology of cancers at the Postgraduate School of Medicine and worked on the TNF receptor superfamily, specifically the CD40 receptor. I researched the interactions between T lymphocytes and cancer cells. I discovered interesting things, documented them, and wrote my thesis. After obtaining my PhD, many doors opened for me. I proved that I had something valuable to offer and started to gain recognition.
Paulina Wójtowicz, Medonet.pl: You worked in a lab in Leeds for a while, but as I understand it, the idea of becoming a practicing physician never left you.
Dr. Urszula Carr: No, it didn’t. That was a time when I was interested in various areas of medicine. I thought about psychiatry and surgery, but then I met a Polish woman who had been working in England as a histopathologist for several years. It turned out that we had studied at the same university in Poland, even though we didn’t know each other. Her field intrigued me.
I had never thought about pathology before, but suddenly I saw it as a way to combine scientific and practical medical work. I observed the daily work of specialists and liked what I saw. So, I decided to apply for a histopathology specialisation. I was invited for an interview at the Royal College of Pathologists, received support and endorsement, and ultimately ended up at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. The specialisation lasted four and a half years, and I completed it in the East Anglia region. After passing quite difficult exams, I officially became a conusltant histopathologist.
Paulina Wójtowicz: In Poland, doctors in this specialty are often referred to as “pathomorphologists.” Is it just terminology or a different variant of this medical field?
Dr. Urszula Carr: Pathology has various subspecialties, such as histopathology, microbiology, immunology, and forensic pathology. I specialise in histopathology, which involves diagnosing diseases by examining tissues under a microscope, typically collected during biopsies or surgeries. In England, there are few general pathologists left; doctors specialise in very narrow areas. For example, I dealt with breast cancer and skin diseases, so I was a dermatopathologist who — unlike a dermatologist — does not see patients but examines tissues taken from them to diagnose diseases, including cancers.
Paulina Wójtowicz: You made a career for yourself, worked at a hospital affiliated with one of the world’s best universities, fulfilled yourself professionally, and started a family. I still don’t understand how you ended up in Sydney.
Dr. Urszula Carr: My husband had visited Australia as a young man and loved it. He kept saying, “Let’s move there, it’s a wonderful place.” I started looking through job offers and found an advertisement for the Skin Cancer Foundation Australia (SCFA), led by the renowned dermatopathologist, Professor Steven Kossard. They had trouble recruiting because there weren’t many qualified candidates. Doctors don’t typically enter such narrow specializations because they don’t want to limit themselves to one area. In medicine, you have to stay up to date with your knowledge. I have been exclusively involved in skin pathology for 16 years, so if I had to return to reporting breast cancer or other organ systems, I would have a lot to catch up on as science and medicne constantly evolves.
Paulina Wójtowicz: I understand the Foundation welcomed you with open arms. How did Australia receive you?
Dr. Urszula Carr: You see, my husband had been here as a 20-year-old. He did some work, but mostly it was about going to the beach, surfing, partying, and drinking beer. No wonder he had such fond memories of Australia! It was a bit different with four small children. The eldest daughter was five years old, the next four and two, and the youngest just a year old.
Paulina Wójtowicz:A lot of work, and you were starting a new professional career
Dr. Urszula Carr: Yes, that’s why my husband stayed at home with the daughters. They had plenty to do because Australian schools place great emphasis on outdoor activities. Children attend numerous additional sports activities, and on weekends there are many games and competitions. Young children learn swimming, surfing, lifesaving, all, of course, on the beach. We couldn’t keep up with all this, having four kids and my work to manage. We wanted to relax on weekends.
Paulina Wójtowicz: How do you remember your first contact with the Australian healthcare system? You probably compared it to the British system?
Dr. Urszula Carr:Yes, I compared Australia with England. The difference was significant. In England heath care is based mostly on the public health system. I gave birth to my daughters in a public hospital, there were no issues with medical appontments, and even some dentists were accessible through the NHS [National Health Service]. Now it’s different; the wait times are longer because there is a shortage of doctors, but that’s a problem in most countries.
In any case, the Australian healthcare system operates quite differently. We have Medicare, which is state-funded, but patients also pay a gap payment, the difference between what is funded and the set fee for medical services. For example, if I go to a specialist I may pay $350 for a visit, Medicare reimburses may reimburse me $120, and I pay the rest out of pocket. And there is also a private health sector.
Paulina Wójtowicz: What about waiting times for doctors in Australia?
Dr. Urszula Carr:Apart from psychiatry, which seem overwhelmed everywhere after the pandemic, I think you can get to see a specialist reasonably quickly. I usually waited a week , at most two, to see an orthopedist.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Usually? Why does a pathologist need an orthopedist?
Dr. Urszula Carr:I do a lot of sports, so I’ve had a few injuries.
Paulina Wójtowicz: That was a tricky question because I found information online that you have a black belt in karate.
Dr. Urszula Carr:That’s true. I earned my Kuro Obi [black belt and first Dan in karate] at age 49. Now I’m at the second Dan and plan to reach the third next year.
Paulina Wójtowicz: That’s impressive. What inspired you to take up martial arts?
Dr. Urszula Carr:I started training when. I was in high school in Nowy Sącz. Later, at university, I lost regularity, I trained sporadically, but it still paid off — I was strong, fit, and energetic. I returned to training in Leeds, where we went to karate as a group of firends. In Cambridge, I was preparing for the black belt grading, but that same year I met my husband, got pregnant, and then had another child and then another. It took me 10 years to return, but when I did, I stuck with it.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Do you feel safer being able to defend yourself?
Dr. Urszula Carr:It’s not really about safety. I never did it to feel safer. Karate fascinates me because of the discipline it instills in a person; you have to be very disciplined to persevere. This art also teaches respect for others, humility, accepting criticism, and strong willpower. These are traits that are useful in life.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Australia is strongly associated with another sport. Do you surf?
Dr. Urszula Carr:Unfortunately, no, but I swim, sail, run, ski, walk a lot, practice yoga, and do a few other things (laughs).
Paulina Wójtowicz: Where does your love for physical activity come from?
Dr. Urszula Carr:My parents were teachers, and we lived very close to my primary school. There was a volleyball and handball court there — and that was my whole life. Those were the times when there was no internet, and TV had only two channels, with one children’s program a week, apart from the 10 min short eveling story. We had to find something to do, so I spent my entire childhood on the sport grounds with a ball. In winter, my dad would pour water on the court to make an ice rink, and we would skate and sled. Those were beautiful times.
The passion stayed, but physical activity is also a necessity. As a pathologist, I am glued to a microscope and spend most hours sitting at the desk. If I didn’t exercise, I probably wouldn’t be able to move by now. In my office, I have the comfort of being alone, so I often stand up and do push-ups, jumping jacks, and squats. When I work from home, I have a skiiping rope and yoga mat.
Paulina Wójtowicz: You specialise in skin diseases. What do you most often examine under the microscope?
Dr. Urszula Carr: Non-neoplastic skin conditions, skin tumours, and inflammatory skin diseases. Melanoma, unfortunately, is quite common in Australia, although early detection is becoming easier. Of course, this requires continuous learning and staying up-to-date, as molecular medicine evolves rapidly. Additionally, I see occasionally soft tissue tumors.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Australia is a very sunny country. Summer temperatures often exceed 35°C, and in winter, they range around 25-30°C. Do residents protect themselves from the sun in any special way?
Dr. Urszula Carr:It’s interesting because many people in my family love to sunbathe. However, here, I don’t know anyone who goes to the beach just to tan. Almost 100% of the time, if you see someone sunbathing on an Australian beach, it will be a foreigner, a tourist.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Are you satisfied with the condition of your skin?
Dr. Urszula Carr:It’s a bit damaged because I run a lot, and most of the other sports I do are outdoors. Despite always wearing a hat and applying several layers of UV-filtering cream, jogging early in the morning, running in the bush, and using the backyard pool only early morning or in the evening, the sun still gets to me. It’s that strong. While living in England, I didn’t have any spots, discolorations. Now I do. That’s why I certainly don’t plan to expose myself to more radiation by lying on the beach.
Most of my friends have very fair skin and avoid the sun. During peak hours, we stay indoors or travel only by car — from home to work.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Do you plan to stay in Australia permanently?
Dr. Urszula Carr:Yes, now we do, but we had a moment of hesitation. I received a job offer in England, and we even bought plane tickets.
Paulina Wójtowicz: What made you stay?
Dr. Urszula Carr:I don’t know. We were sitting on the terrace, looking at the bush next to our house, the sun was shining beautifully, and the girls were playing in the garden. We thought it would be a shame to leave. We bought a house, and that sealed the decision.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Is there anything you miss in this country?
Dr. Urszula Carr:My family and close friends. History and architecture. Of course, cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne are beautiful, but when you go inland, there isn’t much to see in terms of historical landmarks. Europe has a much longer history, and every country and city is a treasure of architectural gems. That’s why, when we go on holidays, we prefer visiting cities to see something new. We have beaches every day.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Do you visit Poland?
Dr. Urszula Carr:Before the pandemic, we visited every year. The last trip was in 2022. We did a six-week trip starting from Thailand, where we visited an elephant sanctuary, then Poland and England to meet family, followed by Finland to see the northern lights and explore Lapland, and finally France for skiing.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Do you consider returning to your homeland?
Dr. Urszula Carr:I always thought I would return to Poland for retirement. We even built a house there together with my husband. If he were alive, we probably would have moved back. However, my daughters don’t really want to. For them, home is Australia. Sometimes I think maybe I’ll split my time between here and there in retirement? For example, spending the Australian summer in Europe skiing and visiting family in England and Poland, then returning to the girls. But then again, I don’t know where they will be living — they’ve been traveling since they were born, so it could go either way.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Do any of your daughters plan to follow in your footsteps and become a doctor?
Dr. Urszula Carr: None of them (laughs).
Paulina Wójtowicz: If you could, would you choose this profession again?
Dr. Urszula Carr:Medicine, yes. Pathology, despite enjoying my work, probably not.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Why not?
Dr. Urszula Carr: The field is changing rapidly and becoming digitalized. In laboratories, slides are increasingly analyzed not under a microscope but on a computer screen. This has many advantages: it allows for greater efficiency, faster measurements, and the ability to compare images with those in a database. However, if artificial intelligence can efficiently handle histopathological analysis, the need for pathologists will decrease.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Will the profession die out?
Dr. Urszula Carr: No, pathologists will still be necessary to verify and sign off on results, but the overall demand will be lower.
Paulina Wójtowicz: What would you choose if not pathology?
Dr. Urszula Carr: Probably psychiatry. Today, when we talk about waiting lists, it’s primarily for psychiatrists and psychologists — there are too few specialists for the number of patients who need help.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Do doctors in Australia earn well?
Dr. Urszula Carr:The salaries are good, and there is a substantial training fund that I use frequently. I travel a lot because high-quality conferences are organized in various interesting locations. In terms of compensation, the salaries are adequate for the amount of work. However, there is significant pressure to be fast and efficient.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Is that why Australian medics have such a significant problem with burnout? I ask because I know you coach and support doctors struggling with this issue.
Dr. Urszula Carr:It’s a significant problem that intensified during the pandemic. Much has been said about doctors working long hours, but the issue starts early, during the education stage. Specialisation in Australia is generally quite tough, with high expectations placed on junior doctors.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Did you experience burnout too?
Dr. Urszula Carr:Yes, although my burnout wasn’t caused solely by work but also by family circumstances, as my husband suddenly passed away.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Cancer?
Dr. Urszula Carr:Yes, pancreatic cancer.
Paulina Wójtowicz: How did you, as a doctor and pathologist, handle that diagnosis?
Dr. Urszula Carr: That’s when knowledge becomes almost a curse. Pancreatic cancer can develop silently for years. My husband didn’t have any symptoms; he was strong, tall, athletic, healthy, and physically active. The only thing that worried him was slight bloating after meals. He went to the doctor because there was a family history of celiac disease. However, the blood tests came back normal. The doctor then suggested an ultrasound of the abdomen, and that’s when the liver tumor was discovered.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Liver?
Dr. Urszula Carr: Yes. I immediately knew it was a metastasis. I just didn’t know where it originated from. I thought he had colon cancer. When it turned out to be from the pancreas, I was speechless. I had seen those cancers under the microscope, and I knew the prognosis. My husband received chemotherapy. He was even qualified for surgery, which is rarely offered at that advanced stage of cancer. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a good decision. After the surgery, everything progressed very quickly.
Paulina Wójtowicz: Does knowing how such a disease progresses and develops prepare you for the worst?
Dr. Urszula Carr: have to say, fate was quite cruel to us. My husband responded phenomenally well to chemotherapy. We participated in a drug trial initially approved for treating breast cancer, but early studies showed it was also effective against pancreatic cancer. I remember we paid a lot of money for this therapy until the company eventually began funding it. The tumor shrank, the metastases disappeared, and the imaging studies looked very promising. That’s why surgery was suggested. However, when the doctors opened his abdomen, they found the cancer had spread to the duodenum, liver, and several other organs
Paulina Wójtowicz: You were left alone with four children. How did you manage?
Dr. Urszula Carr: It wasn’t easy. My youngest daughter was six, my eldest was twelve, and I was the family’s breadwinner. There were days when it was hard to get up and go to work, but I knew I had to; I had no other choice. I read extensively, listened to podcasts and audiobooks on self-development, meditated, and exercised — running 40 km weekly. I sought various ways to motivate myself and developed a routine that I now share with others.
Paulina Wójtowicz: What does this routine involve?
Dr. Urszula Carr: I start every day with specific rituals focused on maintaining a positive mindset. I take breaks at work to recharge, stay active, and eat healthily to feel energized and alive. Life isn’t about merely surviving; it’s about thriving
Paulina Wójtowicz: Do the medics you help appreciate that you understand what you’re talking about?
Dr. Urszula Carr:We work in a field where it’s challenging to simply switch careers. In similar situations, people often say, “Take a break, quit your job, give yourself time.” But what if your job supports your family and you’ve invested so much effort into achieving it? One doctor understands another. We know we can’t just “let go.” We have sworn to help and serve patients, often at the expense of our own time and family. We constantly strive to find a balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.
Author: Paulina Wójtowicz
