THREE DOCTORS IN HOUSE
MEDICINE runs in the family for Nimisha Aithal who has started as a junior doctor at Townsville Hospital.
Dr Aithal’s parents are both doctors at the hospital, a bonus for Nimisha.
“It’s been lovely seeing their careers within the health care sphere,” Dr Aithal said. “It’s really nice to have some familiar faces too.”
Dr Aithal’s mum Sree said she was very proud of her daughter and happy to have her working at the same hospi- tal. The 23-year-old is one 71 junior doctors starting the next stage of their medical careers in the Townsville region.
“It feels a little surreal because you work for so long to get to this point and now we’re here it’s daunting but also incredibly exciting,” Dr Aithal said.
Dr Aithal studied at James Cook University and said she was looking forward to learning from the professionals at the hospital.
At the moment she does not know what field she will specialise in.
Dr Aithal said she was unsure if she would stay permanently in Townsville.
“It’s a bit too soon to see where my career will take me but if I stay here I don’t think that’s a bad thing,” she said.
“It’s a lovely place to live and talking to the doctors they love the lifestyle and the medicine here.”
Townsville Hospital and Health Board chair Tony Mooney said the doctors would be exposed to all areas of health and carry out rural and remote rotations in areas such as Charters Towers and Palm Island.