EXCITEMENT, nervousness, pride and relief after many years of study are emotions running through 67 medical graduates who have begun work as interns at St George Hospital and Sutherland Hospital.
During the year, the new doctors will work between the two hospitals, gaining experience in various departments.
Five of the new interns come from the St George district, while another five hail from the shire.
Addison He, of Bexley, attended Sydney Technical High School and Fort Street High School before medical studies at the University of Sydney.
His first posting was to the aged-care department at Sutherland Hospital.
"Despite having learnt and undertaken similar processes at Westmead Hospital, which was my clinical school, it is really different putting it all into practice at Sutherland," he said.
"I was a bit nervous on my first day, but a lot more confident after that."
Laura Fitzgerald, of Brighton-Le-Sands, and Andrew Inglis, of Blakehurst, are also working in aged care at Sutherland Hospital.
Dr Fitzgerald, who attended St Vincent's College Potts Point before studying at the University of NSW, said she was "excited, but a bit nervous".
Dr Inglis's path to a career in medicine was unusual.
After attending Sydney Technical High School, he gained an engineering degree at the University of NSW and a PhD in chemistry at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany.
This was followed by medical studies at the University of Sydney.
"Engineering sets you up with a really good skills set and problem-solving [ability]," he said.
"I had an interest in diseases and general health care, so I thought, 'Why not put the two together?' "
Tim Duong, of Kogarah, who also attended Sydney Technical High School, obtained a degree in pharmacy before studying medicine at the University of Sydney.
Along the way, he gained a diploma of paramedical science, and worked on weekends as a paramedic at Port Botany, caring for people with workplace injuries and, occasionally, medical conditions.
Dr Duong's initial work at St George Hospital involves 10 weeks of night shifts.
"It is a bit nerve-racking because there are fewer doctors at night, and you have more responsibility, but it is exciting to be able to put into practice all the things we have learnt over the last eight years," he said.
Andrew Tse, of Kogarah, attended Sydney Boys High School before medical studies at the University of NSW.
His internship began in liver surgery at St George Hospital.
Melanie Mapleson, who attended Kirrawee High School, got a degree in sport and exercise science at the University of Sydney before medical studies at Notre Dame University.
Dr Mapleson is working in the new emergency department at StGeorge Hospital with Howard Yu, of Engadine, and Karyn Matterson, of Woronora. ‘‘I’m excited to finally enter the workforce in my dream job,’’ she said.
Dr Yu, who studied at St Patrick’s College Sutherland and the universities of NSW and Sydney, said StGeorge Hospital had a reputation as a great training ground. ‘‘I’m excited about the year ahead and looking forward to working in this area,’’ he said.
Dr Matterson, a former student at Jannali Girls’ High School, was a dietician in the shire for seven years before studying to be a doctor at the University of Notre Dame.
‘‘It’s an exciting time and we have so much to learn but the support has been great,’’ she said.
Victoria Johnson, of Illawong, went from Danebank Anglican School for Girls at Hurstville to the University of Sydney. She felt ‘‘a mix of excitement as well as being a little nervous and apprehensive’’.
‘‘Medical school can only prepare you so much for the difficulties and challenges you face as a doctor, in terms of the application of medicine and the intricacies of dealing with patients, families and all the tough and emotive situations that can occur in a hospital,’’ she said.
‘‘But it’s an honour and a privilege to be a doctor and it’s exciting to finally join my senior colleagues after 10 years of study.’’
Hayley Worth, of Engadine, studied medicine at the University of Sydney after moving to Australia from New Zealand, where she obtained a science degree in physiology.
Dr Worth, who’s working in orthopaedic surgery at Sutherland Hospital, was thrilled to work in the area because of its ‘‘fantastic reputation for training and supporting junior staff’’’.
STAFF ROTATIONS
Forty-three interns were appointed to St George Hospital, and 24 to Sutherland Hospital.
During the year, they will rotate between the two hospitals, gaining experience in various departments.
A total of 980 medical graduates were given internships at NSW public hospitals.
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