70 young docs answer the call
TOWNSVILLE Hospital’s medical ranks have been boosted by 70 intern doctors to strengthen services for North Queensland.
Townsville Hospital and Health Board chair Tony Mooney said he was thrilled to welcome the new intern doctors who started yesterday.
“Medicine is an incredibly rewarding field and it is a significant moment for them to begin their careers at North Queensland’s only tertiary referral hospital,” he said.
“These doctors will be provided an unparalleled experience which will benefit our local community and offer great opportunities for the young doctors.”
Townsville local Dr Tim Boles is one of the 70 interns and said he was both nervous and excited to be starting work at the hospital.
“I’m looking forward to officially being part of a team which delivers quality care to a diverse range of patients,” he said.
“I also look forward to learning and improving as a junior doctor.”
Joining Dr Boles is Dr Alexandra Kanowski, who said it was the ability to apply science in a practical and hands- on manner that made her want to become a doctor.
“I did work experience with an anaesthetist at the Townsville Hospital in high school where I was privileged enough to observe some cardiac surgery which really opened my eyes to the exciting opportunities in a career in medicine,” she said.
“It’s exciting to finally be able to start providing care to patients after six years of preparation.”
Dr Kanowski will begin her time as an intern doctor at The Townsville Hospital in the endocrinology unit.
“I’m excited to learn new things and treat a different cohort of patients,” she said. “I have heard lots of good things about the endocrinology team.”
Of the 70 intern doctors, 33 are transitioning from James Cook University in Townsville. The remaining graduates have come from other Queensland universities and also from interstate.
Mr Mooney said the intern doctors would rotate around rural and remote facilities, including Palm Island, Charters Towers and Ingham, and community health services such as Kirwan and North Ward health campuses.