Medical fraternity mourns loss of Dr Justin Nasser, prominent obstetrician and father of three
The Gold Coast’s medicine fraternity has been left reeling, “shocked and devastated” after the sudden death of a “genuinely caring” colleague, and father of three.
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THE Gold Coast’s medical fraternity and hundreds of mothers are devastated at the shock death of a much-respected colleague, obstetrician and “genuinely caring person” Dr Justin Nasser.
It’s understood Dr Nasser, 52, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Sunday, leaving behind his wife Pam and their three children.
Hundreds of former and current patients have taken to social media to share their sorrow at Dr Nasser’s shock passing.
Gold Coast resident Tal Gallant was due to have an ultrasound with him on Monday and described her doctor as a “kind and caring man”.
“I’m very devastated, he had a way of making women feel safe and respected in his practice. Rest In Peace,” she said.
Dr Nasser was Kimberly Ferguson’s OB/GYN and she said he was one of the most “beautiful, intelligent, kind and caring humans I’ve ever met”.
“He has guided us through one pregnancy and has been guiding us through our current twin pregnancy. He has been a huge influence on our family and our hearts are so saddened for his family and the Gold Coast community for the loss of this incredible doctor and man,” she said.
Former patient Simone Page said she was “absolutely floored” by the news.
“Justin delivered both my boys and he was the most kind, empathetic and beautiful person,” she said.
“The world has gotten a little dimmer. So sorry for his family’s loss. Absolutely gutted.”
Dr Drew Moffrey, a friend and former colleague of Dr Nasser, said he was “shocked and devastated” to learn of his former mentor’s sudden death, saying colleagues from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast were reeling from the news.
“Justin was my boss in 2005, I’ve known him for a long time, some 16 years, we shared consult rooms together at Pindara,” he said.
“He was my mentor when I moved to the private sector. Justin was a healthy guy and his death is very very unexpected.”
Dr Moffrey said he knew for a fact that no one on the Gold Coast would have a bad word to say about Dr Nasser, adding he was the “most genuinely positive and caring person you’d ever meet”.
About five years ago, Dr Nasser, a maternal foetal medicine specialist, stepped back from the full-on life of obstetrics and delivering babies and started Swell Women’s Ultrasound in Southport.
He did this so he could spend more time with his family.
Such was his incredibly warm nature, Dr Moffrey said his Southport practice was incredibly busy with private patients who followed him to the specialist ultrasound clinic.
Dr Moffrey said his friend always had such a calming influence on patients and that he was the most genuinely caring person.
“When you were speaking with him he had that ability to make you feel like the most important person in the room,” he said.
“All his patients loved him so much.
“He was such a genuine public doctor and even when in private practice he would go back to spend one day at the Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) in the maternal-foetal medicine unit.
“Justin was always so giving and just wanted to be there for everyone.”
A Gold Coast Health spokesperson said Dr Nasser was a much-loved staff member, working as a highly-skilled specialist obstetrician at the hospitals Maternal and Foetal Medicine Unit within our Women Newborn Children’s department.
“We offer our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Nasser family and all who knew and loved him,” she said.
“As a health service, we are focused on ensuring staff who knew and loved Dr Nasser are supported at this difficult time.”
After completing medical school at the University of Queensland in 1991, Dr Nasser commenced residency and then specialist training at the Gold Coast Hospital.
He became a Fellow of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2003.
Dr Nasser was awarded a Diploma in Diagnostic Ultrasound and then returned to the GCUH as a staff specialist before joining the private sector and later setting up Swell.
His special interest areas were in the diagnosis and management of high risk pregnancies and he developed the tertiary ultrasound facilities and the birth centre GCUH and sat on several management committees at Gold Coast Health.
Dr Nasser holds academic titles at Bond University (Associate Professor) and Griffith University (Senior Lecturer) and was a training supervisor and examiner for the Royal College of O & G. He’s also presented at local and international conferences, published journal articles and written textbook chapters.
In a biography online, Dr Nasser said his greatest achievement was balancing work, life, study while having “three beautiful children” under three years of age, to which he gave credit to his partner.
“I try to provide a holistic approach to women’s health and am happy to discuss all aspects of care and management with patients,” he said at the time.
“I respect women’s autonomy to make informed decisions about their care. I understand that the ‘journey’ as well as the ‘destination’ is important when it comes to achieving pregnancy and childbirth and am privileged to be involved in the delivery of healthy babies to healthy mothers.”
Other tributes to Dr Nasser:
Kym Newlands: “What a tragedy this is, such a wonderful soul. He really looked after my daughter and babies”.
Kylie Young: “Oh my goodness Justin, you were our amazing doctor. We are in complete shock, (you were) always happy and helping us in our journey RIP”.
Kylee Dowling: “Absolutely devastated by this news. Rest In Peace. Justin you were our safe space when I was pregnant with our daughter. Sending love to your family and beautiful clinic staff at Swell”.
Veronica Beinke: “Had the pleasure of meeting him during my third pregnancy. He is indeed a gentleman. RIP”.
Natasha Cochrane: “One of the most kind, and caring doctors I’ve ever met! May you Rest In Peace Dr Nasser”.
Kylie Moore: “So very sad, had the privilege of meeting him for the scans of my little miracle boy born this year lovely man, condolences to his family friends and work colleagues”.
Tahnee Joy Weeks: “I met Dr Nasser earlier this year when I was pregnant with my son. He was so lovely and kind. Sending my condolences to his family”.
Cynthia Harneiss: “This is just such devastatingly sad news. RIP Justin you were a humble, caring beautiful man who will be missed tremendously. My deepest condolences to Justin’s family”.
Cat Bray: “I am absolutely devastated. He was an angel from above”
Kassie Purnell: “Oh my goodness, no way this was my Dr when I was pregnant with my son in 2018, most kindliest lovely man ever. Cared very much about his patients. So sorry for your loss rip Dr Nasser”.
Tanya Wells: “What a beautiful human and a tragic loss. I was so fortunate to have worked by his side as a midwife and he delivered our first son. All my thoughts are with his family”.
Nat Rolland: “Sending so much love to his family. He was very well respected in the community and provided so much support and comfort in the toughest of times during so, so many fertility journeys which is so much needed”.
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