South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) is welcoming the next generation of front-line medical staff with more than 100 interns starting their careers across its hospitals.
World class training opportunities and cutting edge research and technology in Sydney’s fastest growing region have attracted medical graduates from throughout the local community and NSW.
Two of them, Ash Shukla and Aidan Tan, are keen to start their two year internships.
Dr Shukla, a former Liverpool pharmacist, is the first member of his family to study medicine and is looking forward to practising in his community.
“I wanted to be more holistically involved in patient health.
“I chose to study medicine because it provides that holistic care which includes diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management,’’ said Dr Shukla (pictured below).
Dr Tan was volunteering for a telephone crisis support service when he decided to pursue a career in medicine.
“I wanted to do more. I wanted to be there in the room with those people, holding their hand, hearing their pain and offering hope,’’ Dr Tan said.
SWSLHD chief executive Amanda Larkin says the medical graduates would have many opportunities to learn from some of the best clinicians in Australia.
“Our advancements in robotic surgery and amazing technology such as the molecular science cyclotron facility are drawcards to young doctors,” Ms Larkin said.
“South West Sydney is an international hub of training excellence, research and innovation and I am delighted to welcome this year’s interns.’’
The NSW Government is investing $107 million in the internship program this year with a record 1,027 positions for interns to start their medical careers in NSW public hospitals.
Since 2011, intern positions in NSW have increased by 257 or 33 per cent. Interns rotate through metropolitan, regional or rural hospitals.
