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Dr Colette Reeves, Ms Helen Huang, Ms Emily Lin,
Professor Eric Morand, and Dr John Locke |
Generous scholarships
from Victorian Medical Insurance Agency Ltd (VMIAL) are enabling Monash medical
students’ research into autoimmune disease and cervical spine injury.
Medical students Ms
Emily Lin and Ms Helen Huang were awarded prestigious PSA Insurance Bachelor of
Medical Science (Honours) Scholarships this year to undertake a year of
research at the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS).
Funded by VMIAL, the
PSA Insurance scholarships cover the students’ course fees and on-campus
accommodation. A feature of these
scholarships is the recipients’ opportunity to provide tutoring and mentoring
to junior medical students residing in campus accommodation.
VMIAL Board members Dr
Colette Reeves and Dr John Locke visited the School of Clinical Sciences last
week to meet the scholarship recipients and to hear about their research
activities.
“My project focuses on
systemic sclerosis (SSc), an autoimmune
connective tissue disorder of which the causes are unknown,” Emily said.
“I’m investigating the relationship between SSc and several cytokines and have
found that specific cytokines are associated with specific subtypes of SSc. This
information can be used to help understand how SSc develops and may inform the
development of future therapies.”
Emily said the PSA Insurance
scholarship has made a significant and positive contribution to her educational
experiences.
“As a part of the scholarship, I was
given the opportunity to mentor and teach junior medical students, which I
really enjoyed and overall resulted in my BMedSc(Hons) year being an integrated
and fulfilling experience,” Emily said.
“I’ve been introduced to the exciting
world of research with all its hurdles and steep learning curves, developed a
passion to pursue research as a clinician-scientist, and have become involved
in the guidance and education of junior medical students!”
“I’m incredibly grateful for the
growth and support I’ve experienced this year from the Rheumatology Research
Group at Monash Medical Centre, the BMedSc(Hons) course, and VMIAL for their
benefaction and encouragement in the pursuit of knowledge.”
Fellow student and scholarship
recipient Helen Huang is investigating suspected cervical spine injury (CSI), a
common presentation in Emergency Departments.
“Despite frequent use of cervical
spine immobilisation, there is limited evidence for this practice in a
low-risk, non-major trauma setting,” Helen said.
“My research has shown that while the
rate of imaging and immobilization is high, the actual incidence is low, and there is scope to reduce the rate of cervical spine
imaging and immobilisation in some patients without causing additional harms.”
Helen said the generous scholarship
awarded by VMIAL has provided her with multiple opportunities that would not
have otherwise been possible.
“One of my personal highlights was
mentoring younger students – it gave me a chance to keep up to date on my
clinical knowledge, but also to teach other students, the latter being a
valuable skill to carry into my future career.”
“It’s been a pleasure mentoring my students,
not just on pure knowledge, but also advice on how to tackle medical school,
and its various challenges.”
“Another highlight has been the
opportunity to live on campus, and participate in campus and college life,”
Helen said.
“This has allowed me to meet people of
many different backgrounds and form friendships that I will value for the rest
of my life.”
Helen is especially grateful for the
financial donation provided by the scholarship.
“My project this year was prospective,
and therefore fairly intense. However, having the scholarship meant that I was
able to dedicate a substantial amount of my time and focus to my project and
recruiting patients, which would not have otherwise been possible, as I usually
work part-time to support my studies.”
When we think of projects to support deserving medical students, in
collaboration with Monash University, we hope that the intended outcome, which
is to make their life that little bit easier during such a demanding period of
study, meets our objectives,” said Mr Sylvain Mani, CEO, VMIAL.
“This certainly appears to be the case here after hearing what Emily and
Helen say on the impact of these scholarships.”
“As our company crosses over its 90th birthday we remain
committed to the purpose upon which VMIAL was founded back in 1926 in not only
providing tailored insurance solutions exclusively to doctors and dentists but,
just as importantly, ploughing back into these professions in a most tangible
way.”
“These stories and experiences which we’ve witnessed across all of the
universities that offer our scholarships, encourage us to not only maintain
these activities but also continue in our efforts to support as best we can
young doctors and dentists,” Mr Mani said.
BMedSc(Hons) course convenor Dr Megan Wallace said the research degree allows high
achieving medical students and graduates, the opportunity to undertake a formal
year of research.
“The BMedSc(Hons) year
gives students a strong grounding in research skills, improves their critical
thinking and enhances their capacity to practice evidence-based medicine,” Dr
Wallace said.
“It’s really wonderful
that VMIAL provide these PSA Insurance Scholarships for our Honours students.
The scholarship allows the recipients to focus more time on their research and
to give something back to the profession by helping junior medical students prepare
for medical practice!”
Anticipated
to attract more than 1200 healthcare quality and safety specialists from across
the world, this is the first time the IHI-BMJ Asia-Pacific forum will be held
in Australia. Hosting it in Melbourne offers a unique opportunity for Victorian
medical, nursing, allied health, health science students, and early graduates,
to attend. 
