Mersina Despotis - The Bays Hospital

Mersina Despotis has been Administration Team Leader for five years at The Bays
Hospital on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, where she started as a work experience student over a decade ago.

She gave birth to both her children at The Bays, while her mum Toula is a cleaner in the private hospital's Environmental Services Team.

What's the best part about your job?

Being in a team leader position I'm lucky enough to still have patient contact and get to know them and help them through the nervousness of coming into surgery. But I also get to work on the business management/development side of things and to see in what areas I can help improve our department, and furthermore the hospital.

What do you love about working in a private hospital?

At The Bays Hospital we still have that community feel where it feels like everyone knows everyone, and it's not this strange big hospital.

What do you like to do outside of work and/or what is something your colleagues don't know about you?

I'm actually a hairdresser – I left the industry about 12 years ago now, but I still do close family and friends.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Always stay true to yourself and your beliefs, it's your life.

Read more: The Bays Hospital's $1.2m 'win for patients'

Read more: Mum takes control with self-assisted birth

Next Interviews:
12/6/2025 Janet Churchett - North Eastern Community Hospital

Previous Interviews:
6/5/2025 Leah Hammond - South Pacific Private