About Dr Zoe Stephenson
BMed/MD, DCH, FRACP
Paediatric Specialist
Zoe is a general paediatrician who provides holistic, practical, and family-centred care. Her approach is collaborative and grounded in empathy, aiming to support each child within the context of their family, culture, and community.
Zoe grew up on Kamilaroi land in rural NSW, moved to Sydney to complete her medical studies at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and completed her paediatric specialty training at Sydney Children’s Hospital. She has over 10 years of medical experience, and has worked throughout metropolitan, regional and remote NSW and the Northern Territory. Newcastle has recently become home—a move made to be closer to family and is a great place to raise her young family.
Zoe believes that all children deserve access to high quality healthcare and have a fundamental right to health and wellbeing. She has strong interests in neonatal and early childhood paediatrics, indigenous health, as well as humanitarian and global child health. She has worked internationally with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and continues to provide voluntary telehealth care for children around the world.
She enjoys the fast-paced nature of acute paediatrics and is completing paediatric emergency specialisation through John Hunter Hospital. She enjoys teaching, having been a conjoint lecturer at the university of New South Wales for many years and is an advanced paediatric life support instructor for other medical professionals.
Why did you want to become a kids' doctor instead of a doctor for grown-ups?
I love working with kids—they find awe and joy in the everyday, and I learn so much by seeing the world through their eyes. As a paediatrician (and a big kid at heart), I’m passionate about holistic care that supports not just the child, but the whole family. I value working closely with families and healthcare teams to help kids thrive physically, emotionally, and socially.
What is your favourite dinosaur?
Definitely Diplodocus—a big, kind dino who wasn’t in a rush, didn’t cause trouble, and made the world a little easier just by being around.
It looked out for its herd, stayed steady when things got wild, and probably gave great cuddles (if you were dino-sized!)!
What do you do when you’re not being a doctor?
A perfect day includes a good coffee, delicious food, and time in nature—whether that’s hiking, swimming, cycling, or camping.
These days, most of my adventures involve riding bikes, building cubbies, and spotting friendly dogs at the park with my family!
If you could pick any superpower what would it be?
I think time is the most precious thing we have, so I’d choose the power to pause or stretch time—just enough to soak in the special moments, be fully present with the people I care about, or squeeze in one more story, cuddle, or adventure.
