On graduation, her first job was resident medical officer at Tamworth Base Hospital in 1941. In 1942 she enlisted in the
Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) as a medical officer, being discharged in 1948 with the rank of squadron leader. In 1953, she began work in the tuberculosis ward at Callan Park Mental Hospital, but resigned the following year over the mistreatment of patients. She submitted a Statutory Declaration to the Minister for Health and called for an independent investigation into procedures which she believed were to the detriment of patients' health. In the mid-1970s, Waddy was a member, spokesman and later president of the NSW Doctors Reform Society and spoke out against the introduction of
Medicare. From 1982 to 1987, Waddy was president of the Australian Foundation on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. In that role she contributed to the government policy relating in particular to Australia's response to drugs. ==Awards and recognition==