Content
Honours students scope out medical careers
Two budding doctors have used their Science studies at the University of the Sunshine Coast to win places in the competitive national field of medicine.
Radiographer Phil Barker, 41, and hospital theatre orderly Leigh White, 22, have been studying Honours at USC under the expertise of senior lecturers Dr Fraser Russell (Biochemical Pharmacology), Dr Chris Askew (Exercise Physiology) and Dr Mark Holmes (Biomedical Science).
Phil, of Caloundra, and Leigh, of Buderim, are among 72 postgraduates accepted from across the nation for the 2011 intake at the University of Wollongong Graduate Medical School.
They were among 10,000 people who this year sat the all-day GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test), seeking marks high enough to access the 1,400 Commonwealth-funded places for degrees in medicine and surgery Australia-wide.
“I believe the fact that two USC students were offered places at Wollongong, from about 700 applicants there, is testament to the quality of teaching we received at USC,” said Phil.
“The USC Faculty of Science, Health and Education played an important role in making us very competitive in the admissions process. We developed key skills in the laboratories as part of our research and working part-time as tutors.”
Phil and Leigh’s research projects examined the effects of omega-3 (found in fish oils) on human physiology and blood pressure.
Phil hopes his experience inspires other mature-aged nurses and allied health professionals wanting to climb the career ladder.
“It’s a long road into medicine, with a lot of study and a lot of cost, but USC has helped give me that edge,” he said.
Currently working at Coastal Medical Imaging, Phil hopes to return to the Sunshine Coast as an intern doctor.
Leigh, who works at Sunshine Coast Private Hospital at Buderim, said he was fascinated by the field of medicine and decided in high school to become a doctor.
“USC’s Biomedical Science program provided me with a great foundation for understanding the human body and completing my Honours at USC was a valuable opportunity,” he said.
“I initially chose USC because of its location close to home and the beach and as a graduate I’m very happy with my decision. It’s a great university with relatively small class size that gave me the chance of more face-to-face time with lecturers.”
– Julie Gatehouse