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Rural medical students mark education and training milestone

RCS Graduates 2018

Thirty medical students who spent the final years of their degree studying at the Rural Clinical School in Burnie have officially graduated as doctors.

The scholars had their degrees conferred at a University of Tasmania Graduation Day ceremony in Hobart on Wednesday, 19 December. 

The Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery degree spans five years, with students able to complete the fourth and fifth year of their study in the North-West.

Dr Lizzi Shires, Director of the Rural Clinical School, congratulated the graduating group. 

“We are very proud to be marking the graduation of another cohort of doctors who have completed the final years of their education and training at our Clinical School,” Dr Shires said. 

“During their time studying in the North-West, the students have worked in a number of rural communities to further their medical knowledge and to develop an understanding of rural health issues through practical experience.

“We are looking forward to working with some of our Rural Clinical School graduates who are remaining in the region as doctors after successfully securing hospital internship positions based in the North-West. 

“We wish our Class of 2018 all the very best as they embark on the next stage of their professional careers.”

Dr Wesley Saunders was among the graduating cohort and will be furthering his training in the North-West.

“I had an uncle living on the North-West Coast who was a GP, and he just inspired me when I was a young kid to want to have a career in medicine,” Dr Saunders said.

“I didn’t do medicine straight out of school and decided to go into pathology. I got some exposure to medicine through that, and it just reignited my decision to do it, and I went back to uni.

“It’s a great career that you can do in the service of others, and you can have such an important role in the community and make a difference to people’s lives.

“Helping people when they’re sick and sometimes at the most vulnerable moments of their lives is very rewarding, and it’s a real privilege. I just feel lucky that I get to be in a career where I can do that, and give something back, it just gives me satisfaction.

“I always wanted to stay on in Burnie, I put it as my first preference and was happy when I got it. I’ve always called the North-West home.”

Dr Jasmine Ark also grew up in Burnie and wanted to become a doctor from a young age.

“Thinking about my future I wanted a career that was fulfilling and rewarding, and I’m so glad that I’m here now,” Dr Ark said.

“My dad works as a GP in Wynyard. Seeing him work so hard and get to where he is now really inspired me, especially growing up. He graduated from the University of Tasmania when I was young, so it’s kind of like following his footsteps.

“Growing up in Burnie attracted me to go back to the Rural Clinical School, and also hearing that it was such a supportive community there.” 

Dr Ark will be spending her internship year in Hobart.

Published on: 08 Jan 2019 10:52am