"During my medical studies, I grew to understand how important it is in medical practice to see patients within their cultural context and heritage... Now, as a junior doctor, I am putting the medical knowledge gained at university into real clinical practice in the well-supported environment of an internship."
Jessica completed the Doctor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne in 2018, after completing a Bachelor of Science with Honours at the University of Toronto from 2010-2014. She is currently working as a junior doctor at Northeast Health Wangaratta, a leading health service in northeast Victoria, Australia.
"During my medical studies, I grew to understand how important it is in medical practice to see patients within their cultural context and heritage."
Jessica has accomplished many things during her Doctor of Medicine. She considers the following her highlights:
- Going on exchange to Armenia through the Australian Medical Students’ Association
- Completing onsite rural and indigenous health electives
- Completing a research project on infant mental health at the Royal Children’s Hospital
- Working as a lead marshal at the Australian Medical
- Working as a telethon student caller at the University of Melbourne
The Doctor of Medicine program at the University of Melbourne provides students with an effective balance between theory and practice.
"At clinical placements, I have improved my skills of collaboration and communication and I believe these skills are key to providing holistic health care that reflects an empathetic understanding of a patient’s rich backgrounds and beliefs.
"Now, as a junior doctor, I am putting the medical knowledge gained at university into real clinical practice in the well-supported environment of an internship. I have received many opportunities to nurture my skills of assessing and diagnosing patients effectively and have enhanced my knowledge of management of all types of situations and cases. It is a challenging, yet exciting phase of my medical career."
The four years Jessica spent at the University of Melbourne have been incredibly rewarding.
"The supportive and friendly environment and extensive clinical and research opportunities at the University of Melbourne provided the best starting point for my medical career. Not only did I get a taste of a different health care culture, I also had the opportunity to practice and build on my clinical knowledge and hands-on procedural experiences.
"I was glad to have gotten out of my comfort zone and travelled to Australia and would dare say that this was one of the best choices I have made in my life. I hope all Canadian students come to study at this wonderful university and appreciate the relaxed and friendly Australian culture."