6 minute read
Student Profile: Jack McKevitt
Jack McKevitt
4th Year Medical Student
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What would you like the students to know about yourself?
Honestly, students are welcome to know practically anything about me! I am pretty much an open book. In short, I grew up in Brisbane, Australia as the eldest child of a family of 6. I have 2 younger brothers and 1 younger sister. I went through school loving all of the sciences, but when I finished school, I didn’t really have any direction, so ended up studying a Bachelor of Pharmacy. I love to run, bike ride, and surf My girlfriend and I live together with our 11-monthold golden retriever puppy named Teddie. He always keeps us on our toes, surprising us with eaten socks, shoes, and pillows.
What is your educational and work background?
I attended Brisbane Grammar School from grades 6-12 and finished in 2013. I worked as an orderly in a couple of private hospitals in Brisbane before beginning my pharmacy degree I completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy at UQ, graduating with honours, and then started OUM in June 2019. I also started my Pharmacy intern year in June 2019 and became fully qualified pharmacist thereafter and have been practicing as a community pharmacist ever since.
What led you to OUM?
I tried pursuing a career in medicine through the conventional Australian pathways. I sat GAMSAT four times, however, neither my exam scores nor my undergraduate grades qualified me for the traditional programs. I had heard about OUM a year before I began my application process and my father had helped teach a couple of OUM students and was happy with their level of learning, and their dedication to their medical education. It was his suggestion that led me to OUM.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the professional relationships that I have developed during my clinical years. As a student, I have never been an over achiever, and generally sit in the middle of the cohort in terms of grade performance. I am however very comfortable with social interactions and find it exceedingly easy to talk to patients, other medical students, allied health professionals, and doctors. This ability alone has provided me with extra opportunities that even the traditional Brisbane medical students have not been offered during their clinical years. I believe that it's the relationships that you form during your medical career that influence your success as a doctor, and that is what I am most proud of.
A close second includes the time when I was awarded the title of “best medical student” at the Wesley Hospital, and I was asked to speak to the Uniting Care staff and students about my experiences while on rotation.
How do you find studying at OUM compared to a traditional university?
I find studying at OUM to really suit my learning type and lifestyle. The pre-clinical years allowed me to work full-time as a pharmacist while also studying full-time at OUM. Now, with the preclinical years completed, I find that my learning is not too dissimilar to that of a traditional university. While on rotation I have normal working hours at the respective rotation locations.
You are one of the first students to trial rotations with the Wesley Hospital, how is that going?
I have greatly enjoyed my time at the Wesley Hospital. I think that the Wesley (Uniting Clinical School) is one of the top places in all of Queensland to undertake rotations. The administrative staff were always so accommodating. The ward staff, theatre staff, doctors, and even the patients were all exceedingly kind and understanding. I felt like a junior doctor, not just a student. The Uniting Care also provides medical students with opportunities to a broader group of doctors and other med students on case reports I felt respected.
Why do you want to be a doctor?
Growing up with a doctor as my father, I've always been inspired by his dedication to patients. Despite enjoying my work as a pharmacist, I'm limited in counseling patients and the pay isn't great. I'm a team player with an interest in science and helping people, so I feel becoming a doctor is the best fit for me. With my father as my role model, I'm ready to take on the challenges of the profession and make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Would you encourage OUM students to attend the annual conference and why?
I would highly recommend attending the annual conference. The conference will feature outstanding speakers and impressive research projects, as students compete for the Second Annual OUM Research Prize. The highlight of each Conference is the opportunity to congratulate graduates and celebrate with colleagues and their families during the Graduation Ceremony and Reception.
What advice would you like to give to students reading this issue?
Stay organised. Medical school can be overwhelming and there is a lot of information to cover, so it's important to be organised. Create a study schedule and stick to it Keep track of your assignments, deadlines, and exams.
Stay motivated. Medical school is challenging, so it's important to find what motivates you. Remember why you decided to pursue medicine and keep your goals in mind. Focus on understanding. Instead of just memorizing information, focus on understanding the concepts. This will help you to retain the information better and allow you to apply it in real-life scenarios.
Collaborate: Medical school can be a collaborative experience, so make connections with your peers. Study groups can help you to stay motivated and learn from one another. Take care of yourself: Medical school can be stressful, so make sure you take care of yourself. Eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep.
Seek help when needed: Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Whether it's from a professor, a tutor, or a counsellor, seeking help can make a big difference.
Stay curious: Medicine is constantly evolving, so stay curious and keep up with the latest research and developments in the field.
Remember, medical school is a challenging but also a very rewarding experience. By staying organised, motivated, and focused, you can succeed.
