On 15 February 2026, the Canberra community came together to celebrate the retirement of Dr Clara Tuck Meng Soo, marking the close of an extraordinary 35-year career in general practice.
Clara’s medical journey began in Malaysia and continued through elite training in the United Kingdom, including medical sciences at Jesus College, Cambridge, and MBBS (Hons) at King’s College Hospital, London. After migrating to Australia in 1989, she found her professional home in general practice — a path that allowed her to combine clinical skill with a deep sense of social responsibility.
Throughout her career, Clara built and led practices that became safe, affirming spaces for those too often marginalised by mainstream healthcare. From Interchange General Practice to East Canberra General Practice and the Interchange Co-op, she championed care for gender-diverse patients, people with drug dependencies, sex workers, refugees, ex-prisoners, and individuals living with chronic disadvantage. Her own experience of navigating multiple cultural and identity transitions shaped her empathy and her commitment to inclusive, patient-centred care.
A national leader in transgender health, Clara served as President and board member of the Australian Professional Association for Transgender Health and became a trusted advocate for gender-affirming care. Her contributions were recognised with an OAM in 2015, which she later returned in a principled stand for LGBTQIA+ equality, and with the AMA Diversity in Medicine Award in 2024, honouring her decades of leadership in inclusive healthcare.
As she steps back from clinical work, Clara leaves behind a legacy defined by compassion, courage, and innovation. Her influence will continue through the practices she built, the colleagues she mentored, and the many patients whose lives she helped transform forever.
By Dr Betty Gee
MWS ACT & Region
The Australian Federation of Medical Women (AFMW) is a not for profit, politically neutral, non sectarian, non government organisation that seeks to improve the health of all Australians, especially the health of women and children.
Events and Updates coordination by AFMW, on behalf of the Australian Federation of Medical Women (AFMW), its affiliated Australian state and territory partners and international networks and supporters. If you have an update or event you would like to share with us for Australian medical women, please contact us with details. Thank you.