BMedSc(Hons) Information Night 18 July at MMC

2017 BMedSc(Hons) cohort at SCS

Enhance your MBBS experience and get into research! Give yourself career options with Honours in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS).

Tuesday 18 July, 5.30pm-7.30pm

Seminar Rooms 1 & 2, Translational Research Facility (TRF), Monash Medical Centre

More information: HERE.
Please register: HERE

Annual Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Student Symposium – 1st June, Save the Date!

Monash medical student changing lives and awarded Westpac Fellowship

Ms Masad Alfayadh

Monash University medical student Ms Masad Alfayadh was awarded a prestigious Westpac Social Change Fellowship last week, acknowledging her work at Happy Brain Education, a not-for-profit organisation she co-founded that is changing the lives of young Australians through education.

A final year medical student at the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS), Masad is one of ten social innovators to receive a Westpac Social Change Fellowship, valued at up to $50,000, through the Westpac Bicentennial Foundation.

Masad tutoring HBE students

In 2015 Masad co-founded Happy Brain Education (HBE), a not-for-profit mentoring and tutoring organisation that aims to empower young people through education and personal development.

“Currently, there are three HBE branches, one for youth in Melbourne’s

Broadmeadows, another for youth in the Dandenong area, and a third which focuses solely on students from refugee backgrounds,” said Masad.

Masad said, apart from completing her medical training, her biggest focus in life is empowering young people experiencing social disadvantage, financial disadvantage and mental health issues.

“I think our world could be a much better place if young people are empowered and supported and involved as active participants in society—I guess this belief comes from personal experiences and my experiences growing up.” 

In 2003 when she was 10 years old, Masad and her family arrived in Australia as refugees from Iraq.

“I only knew four words of English, and I felt very overwhelmed, alone and scared,” said Masad.

Just five months later, Masad’s father was tragically killed in a car accident, creating even more hardship for her family.  Masad believes that education changed her life.

“The opportunities, self-worth and affirmation that came from my schooling were extremely empowering,” said Masad.

“Education opened up so many doors to me, and made me understand the world. I know that it can help many other children who come from a similar background to me. It can empower, encourage, and open many doors for them too.”

Masad’s Westpac Fellowship will enable her to complete a Certificate of Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Stanford University, a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact at Swinburne University and two courses at the University of Oxford, one on global social movements and another in management. She also hopes to use the scholarship to volunteer with Medecines Sans Frontieres and to further her charity work to help more people around Australia.

“Young people have the power to change the world. They just need to be empowered and supported,” said Masad.

Masad thanks Gizem Hasimoglu, Alisha Rawal, Emre Alpay, Mariam Hassan, Khue Nguyen and Taha Mollah- Monash medical students- and Dr Tooba Mollah, Dr Krita Sridharan and Dr Julian Cassar- Monash alumni- who have all helped her establish HBE and have shared the journey with her. She also thanks her BMedSc(Hons) supervisors, Professor Jim Buttery and Dr Peter Gowdie, who were very understanding and supported her in establishing HBE whilst still learning so much from her BMedSc(Hons) and getting the most out of it.

“They’re the greatest supervisors anyone could ever ask for!”  

Outstanding teaching recognised at SCS

Associate Professor Bruce Jackson

Outstanding teaching and student supervision at the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS) was celebrated at the annual Monash Health Senior Medical Staff dinner last week at the Kooyong Tennis Club.

Chaired by Professor Barbara Workman, the dinner is an annual highlight for Monash Heath senior doctors who were entertained on the night by comedian Dave Hughes.   

The event was also an opportunity for SCS to celebrate the outstanding teaching at the School by awarding excellence in teaching and student supervision.

The winners of the SCS teaching awards 2016 are:

Dr Han Mei Pan and Professor Julian Smith

Student Choice award - Dr Wendy Lim.  Voted by third year students, Dr Lim is an emergency physician and CBT tutor at Dandenong who has gone above and beyond with teaching this year.

Teaching Service Award – Associate Professor Bruce Jackson, who has been a dedicated teacher and student mentor as Clinical Dean at Casey Hospital for many years.

Final Year Supervisor award - Dr Han Mei Pan, a geriatrician at Kingston who is very generous with her time and extremely dedicated to teaching and supporting all students.

Medical students’ research recognised at SCS

Two Bachelor of Medical Science (Hons) students have been recognised for their outstanding research at the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS).

Final year medical student Tristan McCaughey has received the Stephen Holdsworth Award for Medical Student Research 2016 while Jennifer Zhou is the winner of this year’s Shaun Summers Award for Medical Student Research.

The Holdsworth Award is for the best publication arising from BMedSc(Hons) research while the Summers Prize goes to the top academic mark in the student cohort.

Supervised by Associate Professor Alex Hewitt and Dr Christine Chen, Tristan’s thesis explored ethical considerations of two emerging genetic biotechnologies.

“My thesis investigated public attitudes towards human gene editing and sought to develop a new consent model for research participants donating cells for induced pluripotent stem cell research,” said Tristan.

Tristan’s project surveyed over 12,000 people from 185 countries, asking whether respondents agreed with the theoretical applications of human gene editing.

“We also managed to set a new standard of informed consent for induced pluripotent stem cell research by developing and validating a new interactive consent model available to researchers worldwide,” said Tristan.

“My BMedSc(Hons) research has led to a number of peer-reviewed publications and I have been fortunate enough to present the work at conferences both locally and overseas.”

Also in her final year of the MBBS, Jennifer Zhou’s project characterised the role of two immune cells (CD8+ T cells and Dendritic cells) in the development of atherosclerosis, the growth of fatty lesions called ‘plaques’ in the arterial wall.

Rupture of these plaques is the primary pathology underlying heart attacks and strokes—both leading causes of death and disability world-wide.

“Previously, atherosclerotic plaques were thought to be caused by fatty deposition in the arterial wall, but increasing evidence suggests that the immune system is also involved in their development,” said Jennifer. 

“The results of my study demonstrated that CD8+ T cells and Dendritic cells do indeed contribute to the formation of larger and more rupture-prone atherosclerotic lesions.”

Jennifer’s project sheds light on two potentially attractive therapeutic targets for modulating the immune response in development of atherosclerosis. 

Jennifer said choosing to do the BMedSc(Hons) was one of the best decisions she’s made in her time at university.

“I went from seeing medicine as a set of concrete facts, to realising that every fact I had learnt at university stemmed from asking questions, from research—the important backbone of clinical medicine.”

With no prior experience in medical research and although initially apprehensive, Tristan said his BMedSc(Hons) year enabled him to develop invaluable skills and gain a completely different perspective on evidence-based medicine.

“I thank SCS for honouring me with this award—it is a great privilege to have my work acknowledged, particularly with the high quality research produced by my BMedSc(Hons) cohort” said Tristan.

Jennifer also thanks her supervisors, Professor Ban Hock Toh and Alex Bobik and BMedSc(Hons) Coordinator at SCS, Dr Tony White.

Tristan and Jennifer will receive their awards at the MUMUS Graduate Brunch at Prize Ceremony on 12 December.

SCS student receives Rhodes Scholarship

Lewis Fry

Congratulations Lewis Fry who has been awarded a New Zealand 2017 Rhodes Scholarship.

A Monash University MBBS final year student, Lewis completed his Bachelor of Medical Science (Hons) in 2015.  

Lewis will use the prestigious scholarship to study a DPhil in Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Oxford, with a focus on diseases of the retina.

“Visual loss and blindness have a huge impact on a person’s quality of life and independence and for many people with conditions like macular degeneration or inherited retinal diseases, there are few treatments to restore vision or prevent its loss,” said Lewis.

“My research will focus on our understanding of emerging therapies for these conditions.”

Beyond Oxford, Lewis hopes to pursue further clinical training as an ophthalmologist in addition to working in basic science research.

“As we pursue advancing therapies in medicine I see a huge role for the clinician-scientist who can act as a bridge between scientists, doctors, engineers, patients and the commercial world.”

Lewis said he is very excited to be given this life-changing opportunity.

“This experience will not only provide invaluable skills and challenges, but will continue to shape me as a person. It is humbling to see how other scholars have achieved and contributed in the past, and it is a nervous privilege to follow in their footsteps.”

Lewis acknowledges the many people who have helped guide him on his path.

“SCS was instrumental in giving me a fantastic place to start clinical medicine and I particularly thank Associate Professor Sally Ayoub and the SCS team for creating such a supportive environment, and Professor Michelle Leech for being a role model in how to lead as a teacher, researcher and by the bedside.”

“This opportunity would not be possible had I not been encouraged by lecturers at SCS to take a BMedSc(Hons) year,” said Lewis.

2016 Year 3 MBBS wrap-up

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health
 2016 Year 3 MBBS Group Leaders

By Nicola Abel, Curriculum Implementation, SCS

Friday 4^th November saw the final day of studies for the 2016 cohort of Year 3 MBBS students.   It’s a long and challenging year for these students as they transition from campus-based learner to clinical life and begin the transformation from student to young doctor. 

The School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health sends its warmest congratulations and best wishes to the class of 2016, and looks forward to great exam results across the School.   

In particular we’d like to acknowledge the following prize winners:

·         Michelle Leech Academic Excellence Award:  David Liu

·         Shaun Summers Y3 Award: Jennifer Wang

·         Academic Excellence Staff Award:  Debbie Siew, Sam Schlegel

·         Clinical Skills Award:  Sabrina Yeh (MMC),  Anh Truong (Dandenong) and Michael Cahill (Casey)

The home-based learning offered in Year 3 ensures friendships are made and cemented throughout the year, and for many students lifelong friendships are created during Year 3.  They now all have well-deserved breaks over the summer, and then back again next February to begin Year 4. 

Take a look at these faces.  Within a few short years they will be your PhD candidates, your interns, and your colleagues.

Monash graduate and former trainee to deliver keynote presentation at Forbes Week, 7-9 November

Professor Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Forbes Fellow 2016

Renowned infectious diseases physician and former Monash trainee Professor Adeeba Kamarulzaman will visit Monash Infectious Diseases and present at Forbes Week next month.

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Professor Kamarulzaman has dedicated her career to the prevention, treatment and research of infectious diseases and HIV/AIDS.  She is also a strong advocate for HIV prevention, treatment and care programs in marginalised communities.

Professor Kamarulzaman graduated in medicine from Monash University before training in infectious diseases in Melbourne.  Upon returning to Malaysia, she established one of the first Infectious Diseases Units in the country which has become a leading tertiary referral centre for infectious diseases and HIV/AIDS. 

In 2007, Dr Kamarulzaman established the Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA) at the University of Malaya, one of the few dedicated HIV research centres in the region.

In addition her academic and clinical work has included descriptions of emerging infectious diseases in Malaysia such as the Nipah virus outbreak, and experience with dengue and multiresistant gram negative infections.

Professor Kamarulzaman will present at Forbes Week, 7-9 November in Melbourne.  Program information and registration is HERE.  

Home coming for Monash medical student Isabelle Hau

While Isabelle Hau has come a long way, she’s almost back where she started.

The Monash University final year medical student was born at Monash Medical Centre in 1994 and will begin her medical career as a junior doctor at Monash Health next year.

“I chose to study medicine after taking a psychology elective in high school, when I decided I wanted to become a psychiatrist,” said Isabelle.

“The other driving factors for becoming a doctor are my curiosity in people, a desire to help others and a need for intellectual stimulation.”

Isabelle’s undergraduate medical training included clinical placements at Monash Medical Centre, Moorabbin Hospital, Dandenong Hospital and Casey Hospital. In Year 3 she was also the Monash University Medical Undergraduates’ Society (MUMUS) Clinical School Student Liaison.

“My placements have shown me that Monash Health creates supportive work environments and employs genuinely caring staff—these experiences have left a positive and lasting impression on me,” said Isabelle.

While she’s still keeping an open mind about her future medical career, Isabelle is considering specialising in critical care as she particularly enjoyed her emergency medicine and anaesthetics rotations.

“I’m very excited to start work as a junior doctor and learn amongst friends at Monash health in 2017.”

“It will be a privilege to give back to Monash Health and the Monash community.”

Isabelle thanks and acknowledges the tremendous support she’s received from her family, friends and doctors who have nurtured and guided her.

Cancer research summer vacation studentships 2016-2017

Applications close at 4.30pm on Thursday 22 September 2016

Cancer Council Victoria is an independent volunteer based charity which was established in 1936. Our mission is to lead the fight against cancer. Our core business is cancer control. We conduct and support research as well as delivering state-wide support and prevention programs and advocating regulation and other interventions to reduce the physical and emotional burden of cancer.
Applications are now open for summer vacation studentships for undergraduate students enrolled in relevant disciplines at any Victorian university.

STUDENTSHIP DETAILS
Remuneration: $300 per week
Duration: maximum of six weeks during the summer vacation

The studentship project needs to be part of a cancer research program being conducted at a university or other research organisation. Intending applicants need to contact a cancer researcher and ask if they have a project available that they would be willing to supervise. A list of researchers currently funded by Cancer Council Victoria, and the projects they are working on, is available on our website http://www.cancervic.org.au/grants-in-aid_recipients

The application guidelines and form are available at
http://www.cancervic.org.au/research_sum_vacation_studentships or contact

Ms Cathy Schapper
Cancer Council Victoria
615 St Kilda Road
MELBOURNE VIC 3004
Tel: (61 3) 9514 6318
Email: cathy.schapper@cancervic.org.au

Dragons’ Den competition leads to successful medical study program at SCS

Dragons' Den launch at SCS

A structured group study pilot program for Year 3 medical students at the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS) is the result of the recent Dragons’ Den competition, with 100 students in 33 groups already signed up and participating.

Medical students Hector Thomson, Lewis Fry and Marcus Davenport launched their “5 Key Points” program this month, using evidence-based methods to help students retain and recall curriculum content.

Dragons' Den winning team with
Associate Professor Sally Ayoub

“Our theory is that to make studying medicine more effective and efficient, you need divide, synthesise and teach,” said Hector.

“5 Key Points is a program where students form their own study groups with two to three friends.  They are then given a program outline dividing the curriculum over 14 weekly sessions.”

The students split the topics between themselves and study their allocated topics, meeting for two hours a week to teach the rest of the group the topics they have researched. At the end of each session, the group then further summarises each topic into 5 key points that they need to know.

“The students submit their 5 key points to our website and receive our 5 key points in return, which have been reviewed by consultants from Monash Health—providing a guide for the students and ensuring they are focusing on the essential issues.”

Lewis and Marcus said from their own experience, they identified the key challenge in Year 3 as the large volume of content and a lack of direction.

“There are over 250 conditions students must cover and it can be an extremely daunting task,” said Lewis.
Marcus, Lewis and Hector did Year 3 at SCS at Monash Medical Centre and formed their own study group.
“We started studying together and found it extremely efficient,” said Marcus.

While the program is still in the early stages of development, the three medical students are delighted with its progress so far.

“This year 5 Key Points is a pilot program at SCS but we hope to expand it to all Year 3 clinical sites in the future,” said Hector.

Hector, Marcus and Lewis thank Dr Claire Dendle who has mentored them throughout the process, as well as the Monash Health consultants who reviewed their material. 

“We are also very grateful for the support of Nicola Abel and Ciara Boyd who have been crucial in getting the program up and running.”


The 5 Key Points website is available at:  http://fivekeypoints.weebly.com

BMedSc(Hons)—overseas travel and a chance to study at one of the world’s best universities

 BMedSc(Hons) students Jo and Viv in Oxford

The opportunity to live and study overseas at one of the world’s leading universities for medical research was the drawcard for two Monash medical students completing their Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) at the University of Oxford this year.

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS) medical students Viveka Nainani and Joanna Wang are currently in Oxford, undertaking research projects in vaccine safety and neonatal infections.

“I’m investigating the clinical implications of adverse effects following immunisation with the meningococcal B vaccine,” said Viveka.

“I’m aiming to create a protocol demonstrating what to do when an infant enters A&E with a fever who has been vaccinated in the past 48 hours.”

Viveka and the research team hope this will reduce clinical uncertainty and unnecessary invasive investigations, and thus reduce healthcare consumption.

Also interested in paediatrics, Joanna Wang is examining neonatal enterococcal infections and related healthcare-associated risk factors using data collected through neonIN, an international collaborative neonatal surveillance network.

“Our goal is to reduce rates of neonatal enterococcal infections, which are responsible for a significant burden of morbidity and mortality in these babies,” said Joanna.

“We hope that through identifying trends in neonatal enterococcal infections and related healthcare-associated risk factors, we can identify areas which may be effectively targeted through appropriate prevention and management strategies, thus decreasing infection rates.”

Viveka is interested in pursuing paediatrics as a career specialty and is currently working with the Oxford Vaccine Group, at the forefront of research in both paediatrics and vaccination.

“It's been an incredible opportunity to live and study abroad for 8 months and experience the differences in culture and healthcare overseas.”

Travelling overseas from the UK, learning a range of new research skills, gaining some clinical experience in a different healthcare system and having the opportunity to speak at a UK conference are among the highlights so far for Viveka. 

“Oxford is a beautiful place and has an atmosphere perfect for study and research,” said Joanna.
“Aside from my project, this whole year has been a really great experience—beautiful place, great people, engaging cultural exchange, fun travels.”

Joanna is supervised by, Monash University’s Dr Kenneth Tan and Dr Mark Anthony, neonatologist at the University of Oxford.  Viveka’s supervisors are Associate Professor Jim Buttery, Director of Research and Head of Infection and Immunity at Monash Children’s Hospital and Dr Matthew Snape, consultant in general paediatrics and vaccinology at the University of Oxford.


Viveka and Joanna will return to SCS next year to complete their final year of medical school.

Australian Medical Students' Orchestra inaugural concert, 31 July

The Australian Medical Students’ Orchestra (AMSO) is launching its inaugural season, culminating in a charity concert on Sunday July 31^st. For the first time, the orchestra will bring together 90 future doctors with a passion for music from around the country. Led by Melbourne conductor and cellist Michael Dahlenburg, the orchestra will perform at the Australian National Academy of Music at the South Melbourne Town Hall.

The orchestra, founded this year by several Monash Medical students and made up of medical students from 15 universities across Australia, will perform a thrilling program of Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Fauré under the esteemed baton of Michael Dahlenburg.

Program

Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 5

Rimsky-Korsakov - Capriccio Espagnol

Fauré - Masques et bergamasques

The concert is open to the public and being held at 4pm, Sunday 31^st July, at the South Melbourne Town Hall, 210 Bank Street, South Melbourne. Tickets are $30/$15, and are available online and at the door. Proceeds are going to the Afghanistan National Institute of Music and Very Special Kids 

Facebook event: www.facebook.com/events/256339834747695

Tickets: www.trybooking.com/MAOV
Website: www.amso.com.au

Music for the Valley - Monash Medical Orchestra's annual Gippsland tour, 13 August

With much thanks to the School of Rural Health, we will be continuing our annual tour of the Gippsland community, bringing music and warmth to many hearts to our friends in the east. 

BMedSc(Hons) Information Night at MMC, TONIGHT

Tuesday 12 July, 5.30-7.30pm
Seminar Room 1, TRF at Monash Medical Centre

Enhance your MBBS experience, help people, get into research, make discoveries, and give yourself career options with Honours in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS) and Hudson Institute of Medical Research. We have a wealth of research expertise and dedicated researchers with strong clinical connections who are experienced mentors for students.

More information here.   Registration here (for catering purposes).

Monash medical students enable emergency department research

Fourth year students Mariam Hassan, Neda So
and Eliott with her mother in ED

Monash University medical students worked tirelessly last week to undertake a research study to help determine why parents bring their children to the Emergency Departments (EDs) at Monash Health.

The first of its kind, the study will link the advice sought prior to ED presentation, triage categories, reasons for presenting and the outcomes of ED attendance.

Led by Monash Paediatric Emergency Department’s Associate Professor Simon Craig, the study was carried out over one week from 15 to 22 June in the EDs at Monash Medical Centre (MMC) and Casey Hospital.

“Thanks to the hard work and commitment of our medical students, more than 950 patient surveys were completed in just one week.  Without their help, we couldn’t have done this study,” said Associate Professor Craig.

Final year medical student Scott McNeil
with Lucia and her father in ED

Coordinated and rostered by final year medical student Scott McNeil, 48 students volunteered to work a combination of day, evening and night shifts to ensure 24/7 coverage of the two hospitals for the whole study period—and in their holidays no less!

“Our students did a fantastic job, entering the data pretty much in real time,” said Associate Professor Craig.  “We hope that this sort of research model may be useful for future studies, not only in the ED but in the rest of the hospital as well.”

Participation in the study was 100% voluntary, and all medical students were recruited through the Monash University Paediatric Promotion, Interest and Training Society (MUPPITS) Facebook page.

“Student involvement was vital to the project,” said MUPPITS Chair Scott McNeil.

“In order to gain the required study participants, we had 24 hour presence in both emergency departments at MMC and Casey, allowing us to get real-time data.“
“Without the large number of students sacrificing their holidays, we couldn’t have achieved it,” said Scott.

Most medical students don’t have time to complete a full research project from beginning to end and Associate Professor Craig was keen to give the students a taste of research.

“The students experienced how data is collected in ‘real life’, with all of the challenges of approaching patients and families, asking questions and data entry,” said Associate Professor Craig.

“They were also exposed to a large amount of time in the ED—a great opportunity to see how the department really works.”

Fourth year medical student Mariam Hassan said being involved in the study was a terrific opportunity to see first-hand how research works. Mariam and fellow student Neda So volunteered to cover the ED for the project from 11pm to 8am, their first night shift experience.

“It was really interesting to see the patient experience and how ED operates at night,” said fourth year medical student Neda.

“As well as contributing to this research and helping Associate Professor Craig with the project, we’re getting great clinical and teaching experience.”

The results of the study will be used to plan future services at Monash Children’s Hospital.

Invitation to join Sports and Exercise Medicine Students’ Association (SEMSA)

Sports and Exercise Medicine Students’ Association (SEMSA) is a multidisciplinary health students’ organisation aiming to facilitate education and career development in the field of sports and exercise medicine (SEM).

Our association was founded in March 2016 by a like-minded group of students studying medicine and allied health degrees, who saw the need for an organisation that exposed students to SEM and provided opportunities for personal development within this field.

SEMSA aims to promote SEM as a speciality field not only dealing with management of acute or chronic exercise related injuries, but also promotion of health through increased use of exercise and physical activity. We will hold multiple events during the year including lectures and skills-based workshops. Our launch event titled ‘A Career in SEM’ is due to be held on August 24th with keynote speaker Peter Brukner alongside other SEM professionals. This event will be for registered members only!

We will initially be a club representing students from Victorian universities studying medicine and allied health degrees, a pool of over ten thousand students, and will aim to expand to become a national committee with state subcommittees within three years.

Our team is very excited to see a club dedicated to SEM launched across Victoria and Australia. We hope that it will encourage students to understand the importance of the SEM field and to think about SEM as a career! If you would like to register, contact us at www.semsa.org.au/register or via facebook or twitter (@semsa_vic).

BMedSc(Hons) information night at MMC, 12 July

12 July, 5.30-7.30pm, Seminar rooms 1 & 2, TRF, Monash Medical Centre

More information here.  Register here. 

The Victorian Clinical Science Symposium, 16 July

Life as a Clinician-Scientist: The Best of Both Worlds is a one-day symposium for medical students, junior doctors and PhD students focusing on the intersection between clinical medicine and science. The day will encourage and inspire medical students and doctors to get involved in research and workshop the skills necessary to succeed in clinical research.

Life as a Clinician Scientist, organised by the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, will bring together students and doctors from different universities and hospitals to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 16 2016 for a day of discussion, learning and upskilling.

The morning session, 'What does a clinician-scientist look like?" will feature talks from academics from a range of specialties and each speaker will give a vignette of their own research in addition to their speaking topic. The afternoon session, "What skills does a clinician-scientist need?" will feature skills workshops including "how to get your research published", "how to give a great talk or poster", "how to select and structure a research question" and a panel on the varied career of a clinician-scientist.

Speakers include Professor Ian Frazer, Professor Ingrid Scheffer, Professor Euan Wallace, Professor Rinaldo Bellomo, Professor Katie Allen, Dr Andrew Cuthbertson and Professor Moyez Diwa.

Find out more and register at clinicianscientist.org. If you have any questions, please  contact vicclinicalscience@aahms.org.

Monash medical student brings home silver

SCS medical student Alanna Rottler and
the Australian Cheerleading team at
the World Championships

Third year School of Clinical Sciences’ medical student Alanna Rottler has brought home a silver medal in the recent World Cheerleading championships in Orlando, Florida.

A relative newcomer to the sport, Alanna starting cheerleading two years ago and has helped the Australian team achieve their best result ever.

“This is the first time that an Australian team has broken inside the top 5, let alone break into the top 2 teams in the world in any division of All Star Cheerleading,” said Alanna.

“This silver medal is huge—not just for our team but also for Australian Cheerleading.”

A gymnast for 12 years, Alanna retired from gymnastics in her final year of high school to concentrate on studies.  

“When I started my medical degree at Monash University, I joined the university cheerleading team before moving to All-Star Cheerleading, the division in which I now compete.”

The World Championships was Alanna’s first international competition.

Alanna said she loves the challenges that cheerleading presents.

“You have to trust your team mates’ abilities as well as your own, and find that last inch of energy at the end of a gruelling routine,” said Alanna.

“And you also have to overcome the mental barrier; some of our manoeuvrers are seriously scary and fear is a constant barrier but the best part of cheerleading by far is the feeling of flying.”

Alanna and her team train upwards of 10 hours a week.  She is very excited to see what happens next for her team and for Australian cheerleading.

Watch Alanna’s terrifying and award winning performance in the US here.