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Meet the man behind the COVID-19 livestreams

As a child, Dr Armand Casolin dreamed of becoming a train driver so perhaps that explains why he’s been with us for the last 15 years. Starting with RailCorp, then Sydney Trains and more recently being appointed as Chief Health Officer, Armand has become a Transport household name since becoming a well-known face on our regular COVID-19 livestreams. His calm and friendly manner and on-point medical advice has been a great source of comfort to many, and the huge popularity of his videos, articles and podcasts show that we can’t get enough of the good doctor.

Dr Armand Casolin

Chief Health Officer

In a nutshell, my job is… providing advice and helping manage pretty much any health issue that comes up with regard to our people, particularly at Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink. That includes work health and safety risks and people’s fitness to work as a result of medical conditions or medications and drug and alcohol matters. I get involved in briefing and helping the doctors who carry out medical assessments for our employees and contractors, and a myriad of other health-related questions that arise in a large, complex and safety-critical organisation like Transport. Now in 2020, that includes pandemics!

My definition of success is… I’m tempted to say an empty email inbox but that’s a fantasy. Really it’s about supporting our people to stay well and safe so they can keep doing the important jobs they do for our customers. It’s also really satisfying when I’m able to help someone find a path forward towards a good health outcome.

The most challenging part of my job is… time management – responding to people quickly so that the front line can keep operating smoothly. It’s also really challenging when problems that initially present as a medical issue actually involve a lot of non-medical aspects as well.

And the most rewarding part is… ending a day feeling that I’ve made a difference and also just enjoying what I do. I get to visit our vast network and see the different parts that our people play in keeping it all working.

My hidden talent is… doing livestreams, apparently. Total surprise.

If I had the day off today you’d probably find me… either bushwalking or working in the garden.

At the moment I’m reading… in-between reading all about COVID I’m re-reading the Lord of the Rings and finding that I’m rediscovering parts of the novel that I’d completely forgotten after seeing the films.

To me the best part of the Transport community is… the way we all work together and play our parts to keep NSW moving, growing and successful. Also seeing the growth in our network since I started in Transport and the exciting plans for the years ahead.

See Dr Casolin’s latest video