From Carey to medical school: three OCGs at St Vincent’s

Dr Justin Tse Old Carey Grammarian (1990) and current parent

People who work in the field of medicine often have interesting journeys with colleagues throughout university and their careers. The separate paths they take lead to intersections at different points in time, perhaps ending up working at the same hospital, on the same ward, or at the same university. Many Carey students study in the medical field after Year 12, but a significant intersection has joined three Old Carey Grammarians together at the University of Melbourne. In 2019, Caitlin Kennedy (2011) and Nicholas De Vincentis (2012) will graduate from the University as medical doctors (MDs). Serendipitously, both Caitlin and Nicholas have trained at St Vincent’s Hospital Clinical School under my leadership. As Clinical Dean and Associate Professor at St Vincent’s Hospital, I oversee the training of 200 medical students in the MD course. A key quality I have brought to my career in medical education was borne from my experiences at Carey, namely the importance of a studentcentred approach to learning and growth. Medical students are ambitious and high achievers, but at times they do need guidance, mentorship and an informal chat to check that all is okay. Having these personal relationships

helps medical students to feel supported and know that the school and the academic team are approachable and empathetic to their learning. Both Nick and Caitlin have also taken their experiences at Carey and applied these to their medical training. For Nick, it is the ability to work at a high level to ensure he has the skills and knowledge to be a capable clinician but to combine his love of medicine with a life away from it. As Caitlin reflects on her time at Carey, the school’s emphasis on acquiring and applying the quality of ‘balance’ has helped her navigate the ups and downs

‘A key quality I have brought to my career in medical education was borne from my experiences at Carey, namely the importance of a student-centred approach to learning and growth.’

of medical school. She states, ‘Carey strongly emphasised involvement in activities outside of our studies, which has helped me to maintain a balanced life during my medical degree.’ Many of the early experiences afforded to us at Carey have laid a solid foundation for each of us to pursue careers in medicine. Nick fondly remembers Year 10 bike camp with his closest friends and playing for the First Football Team. As Nick recalls, ‘One highlight of my time at Carey was playing in the First XVIII Football Team of 2012. Our team was full of great players, with five going on to be drafted to AFL teams later in the year. At one stage during my first game, I looked at the players around me, and realised that in our backline, I was surrounded by my best mates. It really was pretty special.’ Similarly, Caitlin remembers being part of the first Three Pillars Tour to Darwin in Year 12, which she attended with a great group of students and amazing staff, and like Nick, had wonderful memories of the Year 10 Kosciuszko to Kew road cycling camp. Some of my favourite memories at Carey also involve sport, namely playing for the First Soccer Team and scoring my first goal against St Kevin’s. Mr Fox’s chemistry classes were also often fun, and on a few occasions they did not go according to plan! The ceiling of the old chemistry laboratory indeed had a few war stories to tell. Both Nick and Caitlin will graduate at the end of this year, careers just starting as the practice of medicine evolves at a rapid pace. The three of us will continue to serve the community in providing patient-centred care, supported by the strong foundations laid during our time at Carey.