January 15, 2024For the first time since COVID 19 intervened, Northern Health had the pleasure of welcoming 61 medical interns, in person, for their orientation – the highest number ever.
Eleven new positions have been added to the program: four in General Medicine, one in Plastics Surgery, two in Mental Health, two in Emergency Department, one in Renal Service, one in Palliative Care. Dr Carol Chong, Supervisor of Intern Training, says, “It is a reflection of Northern Health’s expanding catchment and the increasing health needs of the community.”
2024 is the commencement of the new AMR Framework which includes revised assessments, the introduction of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) and strengthened Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outcome statements.
Suraj Hari, is one such intern who as a 10-year-old, remembers doctors working their magic on his mom’s fractured wrist in the Orthopaedics ward, “wide-eyed and inspired”. He says,” Here I am, back at the heart of it all!”
Yang Chin says, “The nerves did get to me at the beginning, since I did most of medical school in Malaysia and had only just arrived in Melbourne a week before orientation. Starting work as a doctor while finding my footing here in Australia were big tasks to handle at the same time. Nevertheless, orientation has been lots of fun. Northern Health really lives up to its reputation for having a supportive and positive work culture. Everyone has been really friendly and welcoming, which made settling in much easier.”
Jayde Galletti says, “I’m definitely feeling excited to start my internship! It has been really encouraging to hear from seasoned clinicians who have dedicated so much to Northern Health and are still passionate about improving the health service for our staff, patients, and community.”
She further adds, “Our orientation had a strong focus on intern wellbeing and supporting our career development as junior doctors, which is why I wanted to remain at Northern Health.”
Dr Chong says, “Our interns come from various clinical schools with a notable third from our own Northern Clinical School. We welcome them all and look forward to supporting them as they start their internship, an exciting time in their life.
