06 December 2013
Three students from the University of South Australia are a step closer to their dream careers as doctors after completing the University’s Bachelor of Medical Science degree.
Students Viera Stanekova, Cristina Galvan and Aniket Mehendale have been accepted to study Medicine in 2014 after successfully transitioning from the Bachelor of Medical Science at UniSA.
Medical Science program director Associate Professor Sandra Orgeig says the UniSA degree offers a viable pathway into Medicine.
“Every year around 1500 applicants for medicine in South Australia fight for 180 places in this state, so our Bachelor of Medical Sciences degree offers a fantastic alternative pathway into this highly competitive program,” she says.
“Viera, Cristina and Aniket are off to study Medicine at three different universities around Australia and I’m delighted for them.
“Other students are completing an Honours year or going on to postgraduate options like physiotherapy, occupational therapy and dietetics, while some students will go straight into work in areas like medical research and the biotechnology industry.”
The Bachelor of Medical Science exposes students to the broad range of disciplines central to understanding human health and disease. Through a partnership with the Australian National University (ANU), the program also gives students an opportunity to study part of their degree at the ANU in Canberra.
Aniket Mehendale has been a UniSA student in the joint degree with ANU, and has accepted a place in ANU’s graduate entry Medicine program in 2014.
“I really enjoyed studying Medical Science through UniSA and it really opened up opportunities for me,” Aniket says.
“I don’t know what (medical field) I want to specialise in yet; for now I am just excited at being in medical school and looking forward to starting the next phase of my life.”
Viera Stanekova and Cristina Galvan both studied their full degree at UniSA’s City East campus. Both are going on to study Medicine at Flinders University, Viera in Adelaide and Cristina in Darwin.
Cristina says UniSA’s Medical Science degree was very broad, giving her the opportunity to learn ‘so much’ about human health.
“I’ve always wanted to become a doctor, so getting into Medicine after the degree was always my goal,” she says.
“I’m keen on a career in cardiology, but I’m not set on that just yet, I’m just looking forward to the next stage in studying Medicine.”
Viera wants to pursue a career in medical research. She is currently undertaking a high achiever vacation scholarship at the Centre for Cancer Biology, and will then spend the rest of her summer on a rural scholarship in Whyalla. She will complete an honours degree next year and take up her Medicine spot at Flinders University in 2015.
“The Medical Science degree surpassed my expectations,” Viera says.
“I gained a really good overview of all the major health sciences fields including physio and nursing which I didn’t expect to get, as well as good exposure to research.”
All three students praised UniSA’s lecturers in the program.
For more information on the Bachelor of Medical Science click here.
Contact for interview: Assoc Prof Sandra Orgeig office 8302 2649 mobile 0410 422 712 email sandra.orgeig@unisa.edu.au
Media contact: Kelly Stone office 8302 0963 mobile 0417 861 832 email Kelly.stone@unisa.edu.au
