Bernadette graduated from the University of Melbourne and trained in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Mercy Hospital for Women and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in the United Kingdom.

On returning to Melbourne, Bernadette was appointed as a consultant at the Mercy Hospital and continued to work at the hospital for all her professional career, eventually as the Clinical Director of Obstetrics. She also had a busy private practice in obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as extensive experience in medicolegal reports and impairment assessment.

Bernadette has a long association with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists including roles as a training supervisor, examiner, examination coordinator, chair of the Victorian Training Accreditation Committee, member of the College Council and Honorary Treasurer.

Between 2001 and 2016 Bernadette was a member of the Victorian Medical Board and then the Victorian Board of the National Medical Board, including sitting on the Board’s Health Committee and chairing one of the Notification Committees.

More recently, Bernadette has ceased clinical practice, completed a Graduate Diploma in Arts and is enrolled in a Masters in International Relations, commencing July 2023.