An event hosted in conjunction with Curtin Medical School, the first St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals (SJGMPPH) career pathways seminar for high school students, was held earlier this month at the Curtin University campus in Midland.

In planning for the event, schools within the hospital catchment were contacted and asked to nominate students that could benefit from attending the seminar to gain insights as to how to best prepare to enter medical school.

The initiative is a new collaboration between SJGMPPH and Curtin Medical School that aims to enhance the chances of local students entering medical school.

Content within the seminar was specifically tailored for students Year 10 and above who are still shaping their tertiary entrance pathway.

Speakers at the seminar included experienced consultants, recently graduated junior doctors, medical students and the admissions team from the Curtin Medical School.

Topics covered included, meeting the entry criteria for Curtin Medical School (required marks, interviews, portfolios, UCAT), the life of a medical student, the role of a junior doctor and then specialist (including GP) practice.

The seminar closed with an informal question and answer session. The inaugural event attracted 17 high school students from local schools who were accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult.

SJGMPPH chief executive officer Paul Dyer said it was vital that hospitals attract future medical professionals whom are familiar with the community they serve.

“Fostering local talent is just one of many strategies we are implementing to both attract students to medical studies but to also position St John of God Health Care as an employer of choice who can work collaboratively with students to achieve their career objectives.”