Welcome return to Warragul for former student
Local knowledge gained through her experiences while a student with the School of Rural Health proved invaluable for Dr Dora Alexiou during her first intern rotation with the West Gippsland Healthcare Group.
Dora did her full Year 3B with the Gippsland Regional Clinical School as well as returning in Year 5D for Medical and Emergency Department rotations. It was a natural progression to come back again as an intern, although she was thrown in the deep end on day one!
Former student, Dr Dora Alexiou has returned to Warragul hospital as an intern.
A local Registrar was sick, so Dora found herself quickly in the front line but thanks to the fact that she knew the hospital and many of the Emergency Department staff from her student years, was able to readily seek advice and assistance.
It was clear that the other staff also appreciated Dora’s dedication and thoroughness, while two of her former tutors, Dr Jenny Eury and Dr Michael Kunze, both commented how good it was to see Dora on the ward and settling into a work routine. Following are Dora’s impressions of her first scary but exhilarating day on the job.
In 2012 I started work as a doctor at the West Gippsland Hospital in the medical unit. The transition from medical student to intern is a very daunting experience filled with trepidation, fear and anticipation.
Like the other new interns, I was very nervous on my first day at work but we received a great welcome from everyone at the hospital. I was particularly lucky, as for me, it was a “welcome back” to Warragul. I had trained at this hospital as a medical student in Year 2A (medical and allied health placements), Year 3B (medicine and surgery), and Year 5D (medical and emergency).
These were the best of my medical school rotations and the ones that I feel I learnt the most, hence why I keep applying to return. In particular, Year 3B and my final year rotations at Warragul were the most formative clinical placements of my medical school training. The teaching that I received from my supervisors, Dr Bruce Maydom and Dr Greg Shuttleworth, was invaluable preparation for internship.
On my return to West Gippsland Hospital as an intern I was humbled by the warm welcome that I received from everyone, including administration, nursing, medical and allied health staff. It almost felt like coming home. I was especially touched by the warm welcome and obvious pride that my former supervisors and teachers showed me.
The first day of internship was as petrifying as I had expected, but also exhilarating. I was rostered on for a cover shift and the registrar called in sick. I was petrified! But Dr Shuttleworth and Sue Colby in ED showed absolute faith in me and assured me that help would be close at hand if I needed it.
It was one of the most challenging days of my life, but also inspiring. The nurses in the High Dependency Unit and the medical ward (especially Judy, Steve and Sister O’Toole) took great care of me and guided me through my first day (and weeks) of being a doctor.
It was also re-assuring to know that I could run down to the ED and ask my friends who I met during my student rotations for help, especially Dr Anas who was always willing to patiently teach and give me advice. By the end of my first day I was exhausted, but also very proud, relieved and inspired by the wonderful people I worked with.
Medicine at Warragul is busy and very challenging, but also one of the most rewarding, supportive and formative rotations an intern could complete. I could not have chosen a better place to start my career and look forward to coming back.