The Heart of the Delivery Room: Dr John Svigos on the Evolution of Global Women’s Health and the Power of Specialised Support

In conversation with Jon and Jon Medical about a lifetime in obstetrics and gynaecology, mentoring junior doctors, improving maternal health globally and the importance of the right support for doctors, hospitals and locum specialists. 

At Jon and Jon Medical, we have the privilege of working with some of Australia’s most experienced clinicians. 

In the world of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, few practitioners have witnessed as much transformation as Dr. John Svigos.

From the industrial roots of Port Pirie to the high-tech maternal wards of South Australia and his pioneering global health work, especially in Bali, Indonesia, Dr. Svigos has spent decades at the front lines of women’s health. His career has been defined by a commitment to women’s health, medical education and supporting the next generation of doctors. Dr Svigos has also supported hospitals across Australia through locum O&G placements, working with Jon and Jon Medical to provide specialist maternity care where it is needed most.

In a recent conversation with Caroline from Jon & Jon Medical, Dr Svigos reflected on the experiences that shaped his career in O&G, the lessons he has learned from women and families, and his work improving outcomes for mothers and babies around the world.

🎧 Watch the full conversation with Dr John Svigos below -

From Port Pirie to a Career in Medicine

Dr Svigos grew up in Port Pirie, a regional town in South Australia. His interest in medicine began with a local general practitioner who was also the father of one of his closest friends.

“He could do anything. He could take out an appendix, deliver a breech baby and fly an aeroplane..”

At the time, most medical graduates were encouraged to pursue general practice in regional communities. Dr Svigos initially imagined returning to Port Pirie to practise as a GP. However, during medical school in the 1970s, a placement in the maternity ward changed everything.

The Moment That Led Him to Obstetrics and Gynaecology

As a fifth year medical student, Dr Svigos spent 12 weeks living in the hospital, assisting with births and working closely with midwives and senior doctors. It was during this time that he experienced the moment that confirmed his future in obstetrics and gynaecology.

“And there was the mother, holding the baby, seeing to the baby, mother and child, and this beautiful serene peace that came over, and I thought, "Wow, this is just incredible," and you know, I'm part of it. And honestly, that still happens to me every day. I still get bowled over by that experience.”

That powerful moment continues to define why he continues his work in O&G.

He began practising at a time when many technologies now considered essential in maternity care were not yet widely available. Advances in monitoring, anaesthesia and surgical care have significantly improved outcomes for mothers and babies.

Yet despite the technological progress, he says the most meaningful part of the work remains the same. 

The moment when a mother first holds her baby.

Over the years, he has delivered not only babies but also the children of patients he once delivered decades earlier.

“That’s the beautiful thing about obstetrics, you become part of families’ lives across generations.”

Respect for Women and Their Role in Society

Dr. Svigos’s life, by his own admission, is ‘run by women’ - From his mother, sisters, and wife, to the consultants and midwives he mentors. Throughout his career, he says one lesson has stood out above all others. Witnessing the strength and resilience of women.

"When you observe new mothers and that magical time after birth, you develop an appreciation of the essential role they play in society." 

After decades working in obstetrics and gynaecology, he says the moments after birth often reveal something deeper about the role women play within families and communities. Beyond pregnancy and childbirth, mothers are often the ones guiding children through life’s challenges, supporting families through illness and helping the next generation navigate both difficult and joyful moments. For Dr Svigos, those experiences have shaped a profound respect for women and the central role they play in society.

Global Advocacy: Improving Maternal Health in Bali

Beyond his work in Australia, Dr Svigos has also made significant contributions to global maternal health, particularly in Bali, Indonesia. What began as a visit to a maternity hospital during a holiday developed into a long term collaboration to improve care for mothers and babies.

"I think they thought I was just going to go there once or twice, give a couple of lectures, and then disappear, but I kept coming back."

Over the past two decades, he has helped establish a collaborative training programme between Australian specialists and Balinese clinicians, supporting obstetricians, midwives, paediatricians and anaesthetists working in maternal health.

The result? A $25 million state-of-the-art Women and Children's Hospital and a drastic reduction in maternal mortality. For Dr. Svigos, this wasn't just about infrastructure; it was about empowering local midwives and doctors to protect their community’s "prime resource."

Mentoring the Next Generation of O&G Specialists

Mentorship has always been an important part of Dr Svigos’ career. Over the years, he has supported many junior doctors who have gone on to build successful careers in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Reflecting on his advice for doctors considering the field, he encourages young clinicians to spend time in maternity hospitals and immerse themselves in the experience of caring for women and families. Witnessing childbirth, he says, can often be the moment that inspires doctors to pursue a career in O&G.

For Dr Svigos, mentoring the next generation of doctors is also about recognising the guidance he received earlier in his own journey.

"When you say I’ve mentored a lot of people, I’ve been mentored too. I’m only giving back what I was given."

Why Locum O&G Work Matters, and his Advice for Doctors Considering Locum Work

Alongside his clinical practice and teaching, Dr Svigos has spent many years working as a locum O&G specialist, supporting hospitals and maternity services across Australia. Returning to regional towns is his way of 'paying back' the mentorship that shaped his early career.

In one memorable moment back in Port Pirie, he helped deliver a baby for the grandchild of people he attended school with in the 1960s.

"I prefer the smaller hospital because I think, you can appreciate the difference that you make, and the patients themselves are very vocal in telling you that."

For doctors considering locum work as part of their career, Dr Svigos emphasises the importance of understanding the environment they will be working in. He believes doctors should take the time to learn about the hospital, the resources available and the expectations of the clinical team before accepting a placement. Having a clear understanding of the setting, he says, helps ensure doctors feel confident in their role and are able to provide safe, effective care for patients.

He also highlights the importance of working with a recruitment agency and team that understands both the doctor and the hospital environment. Dr. Svigos speaks highly of the seamless partnership he’s found with the O&G team at Jon & Jon Medical  - Rebecca Wood and Kirsty Eagleton.

"Rebecca and her fellows have to have intimate knowledge of the place that they're sending people to, and intimate knowledge of the hospitals that they're sending them to, and so forth. And that's the skill that they bring to the job, and help us to be able to help the patients that we're going there to treat."

At Jon & Jon Medical, we work closely with doctors to understand their skills, experience and preferences. This helps ensure doctors are matched with locum placements where they can work safely and confidently while supporting hospitals that need specialist maternity care.

That level of understanding and coordination can make a significant difference to successful locum placements.

What makes Jon & Jon Medical a Great Locum Agency?

Dr Svigos has worked with Jon & Jon Medical for many years, supporting hospitals across Australia through locum O&G placements. Dr. Svigos speaks highly of the seamless partnership he’s found with the Jon & Jon Medical team.

"Do you want the real truth? .. It's been a wonderful experience. I've had nothing but a fantastic relationship with Jon & Jon, with all the people that I've dealt with. "

He credits much of that to the people behind the process.

• Working with Rebecca and the O&G recruitment team, he says, means placements are carefully matched to a doctor’s skills, experience and preferences, helping ensure the right fit for both clinicians and hospitals.

• Once a placement is arranged, the ongoing support from candidate managers such as Kirsty helps make the experience seamless. From organising travel and accommodation to coordinating the practical details of each placement, that support allows doctors to focus on their clinical work.

• He also notes that the efficiency of our admin and accounts team, particularly around prompt invoicing and payments, is an important part of making locum work run smoothly.

For Dr Svigos, that combination of thoughtful recruitment, strong candidate support and reliable administration is what makes working with Jon and Jon Medical such a positive experience.

Partner with a Team That Gets It

Jon & Jon Medical partners with experienced doctors and healthcare services across Australia to support hospitals that need specialist care. We don't just fill rosters; we build partnerships.

If you’re looking for the same level of detail, support, and clinical alignment that Dr. Svigos describes, let’s start a conversation.

If you are a doctor or nurse interested in locum work, or a hospital seeking experienced maternity specialists, we would love to hear from you.

Contact us or Register with us today.