Dr James Moir retires after long medical career

A popular Sunshine Coast doctor who helped deliver 5000 babies in his 47-year career has called time after helping many achieve their dreams of a family. Read why here:

A popular Sunshine Coast obstetrician, gynaecologist and IVF expert who helped deliver 5000 babies in his 47-year career has looked back fondly on the “buzz” of working with aspiring parents.

Dr James Moir – who began his private practice on the Sunshine Coast in 1995 – will retire on February 11 ending a prosperous career that has seen him travel the globe.

Dr Moir, 70, became qualified in 1975 in Aberdeen, Scotland and believes he was involved in the birth of approximately 5000 babies across several countries including the UK, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

“I don’t go around with a puffed up chest or swollen head because there are many others that do the same, but it is a great reward to see successful pregnancies and happy families,” he said.

“It was a privilege to be able to help so many couples in delivering their babies.”

Dr Moir said as a medical student he never thought he would specialise as a gynaecologist and obstetrician.

“The first birth I saw I couldn't wait to get out of the room,” he said.

“There was so much stress and tension in the room I just couldn't wait to escape.”

But after completing a Masters degree at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 1986 he gained a Diploma of Obstetrics in Auckland, New Zealand in 1988 and entered the field of obstetrics and gynaecology.

Dr Moir also obtained his specialist qualification through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in December, 1994 and was the Clinical Director of Queensland Fertility Group Sunshine Coast from 1999 to 2021.

Dr James Moir in his office in 2007. Picture: File

“It’s one of the biggest rewards to help couples and women to fall pregnant and … follow them through to the birth of the baby,” he said.

“It’s especially rewarding when there are a couple that have had failures along their IVF journey and then they are ultimately successful.

“That’s a real buzz.”

He said he had experienced “mixed emotions” throughout the many highs and lows of his career.

“It’s always nice and gives me a buzz to see families in the street and they show me how their baby has grown up – I love it,” he said.

“But, you don't forget the people who have had sad outcomes as well as the many who have had happy endings to their journey.”

Early in his career Dr Moir spent seven years working as a medical officer and scientific research officer in Papua New Guinea and was involved in a “high-end” field research program into Malaria.

Dr Moir also trained villagers to give simple medications for the disease while they prepared for a vaccine trial.

“Papua New Guinea is a fascinating place to work and live and I really enjoyed my time there,” he said.

Dr James Moir (left) pictured in Papua New Guinea early in his career. Picture: Supplied.

Dr Moir met and fell in love with his late wife Julie while working at Kirwan Hospital in Townsville in 1987.

Before her sudden passing in August 2008 the loving couple shared 21 years and four children together.

The proud father and grandfather said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family which had been separated during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr James Moir pictured with his daughter Hannah, 11yo, and dog Bowie on September 5, 2008. Picture: Nicholas Falconer.

Dr Moir credited his long career to his love of medicine.

“I just really enjoyed what I was doing and I didn't have any reasons to stop doing medicine until this stage,” he said.

“It’s time to move on and leave the younger guys to carry on with the work I've been doing on the (Sunshine) Coast.”

Dr Moir said he was looking forward to pursuing other hobbies including gardening and his musical endeavours including learning to play the piano and continue to be a Flautist for the Buderim Concert Band, in which he has been a member since 2008.

He thanked his colleagues for many years of wonderful memories.

Dr Moir’s IVF clients will be looked after by his colleagues under Queensland Fertility Group Sunshine Coast while his gynaecology patients will be referred to new doctors via their general practitioners.