News & Stories

Do punk rockers make good doctors?

Graduate Dr Gene Manour thinks so.

After studying neuroscience in Sydney, Gene needed a change. He wanted to leave home and find a new challenge. Luckily for him, an opportunity to study a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in Tasmania came his way. 

I needed to experience living in a new place as an adult… dip my toes into being independent. Part of it was that I would have to fend for myself off the mainland, but also the University of Tasmania offered a very well-respected medical degree.

At the University of Tasmania, Gene got to learn from respected cardiologists, was tutored by seasoned surgeons, and was able to get hands on in state-of-the-art anatomy labs. He was also able to access the Royal Hobart Hospital, spending time with doctors, nurses, allied health and, most importantly, patients.

Our close connections to industry and community gave him a unique experience unlike most other universities. 

Dr Gene Mansour, guitarist and vocalist of punk rock band Outer Control.

Studying in Tasmania gave me a point of difference. Not only from the university point of view but also from the personal point of view. Tasmania is a great place to study and in general has so much to offer in experiences that you can't get elsewhere in Australia (or the world for that matter) and I am lucky that I still get to visit regularly.

“I was involved not only in clinical care of patients and teaching of anaesthetic trainees but also in the teaching of UC medical students.”

Gene then took these experiences, skills, and knowledge overseas.  After completing his resident years and further postgraduate study, he become an anaesthetist and secured a job in the USA. There, he worked as an Assistant Professor for the University of California. 

All the while, Gene has also been a passionate punk rocker. Currently, Gene is on vocals and guitar in the band Outer Control. They’re a four-piece melodic punk rock band that released their first album in 2020, with two new singles due out in the coming months.

Through the years, Gene has shown that a successful career in medicine doesn’t mean giving up on your other passions. 

I think having a balance in life is necessary no matter what you do. If you enjoy what you are doing, then it’s easy to do. No matter what happens during the day you will want to pursue your other interests at night or on the weekend or just whenever there is a spare moment.

Learn more about studying the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.