Mary Nunesco always had her heart set on a career in healthcare.
Her healthcare career started with a four-year Bachelor in Medical Technology, followed by a two-year postgraduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound.
Getting a clearer picture of a complex diagnosis is what fuels Mary Nunesco’s passion as a cardiac sonographer.
She thrives on both the challenge and the satisfaction of using specialised imaging technology to assess patients’ heart health at Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS).
In her role as senior cardiac sonographer and acting director of clinical measurements unit, she is very mindful of the example she sets as a female leader in a scientific field.
“I enjoy the mix of challenge and purpose that my role brings, I thrive on tackling the tricky scans — there’s something really rewarding about getting clear, accurate images when it isn’t easy,” Mary said.
“Knowing that those images help a patient get the right treatment gives me a real sense of fulfillment.
“Being a woman in a science-based and highly specialised profession like cardiac ultrasound is something I’m really proud of.
“Regional areas in particular, benefit from strong female leadership in healthcare and science.”
Mary’s advice to young women entering this field is to choose a career in science if you’re passionate about patient care and making a meaningful difference in your community.
“There are so many paths within science and healthcare that can lead to a rewarding career while still allowing for a balanced and fulfilling family life,” Mary said.
“Balancing work and family isn’t always easy; I’ve always wanted to be a mother and this career has given me the flexibility and stability to show up for my children while still progressing professionally.”
A highlight of Mary’s career was receiving the MHHS Excellence in Innovation Award in 2025, for her strong focus towards finding digital solutions to streamline time-sensitive clinical reporting processes.
Her work in this area helped to support and drive improved patient outcomes and develop innovative service models to bring care closer to home for rural patients.
Mary is currently working on a new project which looks at implementing an extended scope of practice for our cardiac sonographers.
“Due to the ongoing shortage of medical officers in our region we’re working with MHHS Education unit to train our sonographers to become competent in IV cannulation and the administration of contrast during echo scans.
“Credentialling our senior sonographers will allow us to improve both the efficiency and the quality of our diagnostic services, meaning patients can receive timely, high-quality care without unnecessary delays.
“I’ve also benchmarked our model against tertiary centres such as Townsville University Hospital, where this extended scope has been successfully practiced for years.
“Seeing how well it works elsewhere gives me confidence that we’re moving in the right direction for our unit and our community.”
A shout out to all our women in science across the Mackay HHS, your contributions are appreciated and help to shape the future of healthcare in the region.