North Queensland’s future healthcare professionals ready to graduate (Townsville)

968 students from James Cook University’s Division of Tropical Health and Medicine will graduate today, including 719 with Bachelor degrees, 227 with postgraduate degrees, and 13 with PhDs. Of these students, 746 students will graduate in person at official ceremonies in front of their friends and family.

Among them is Benjamin Davis from Mackay, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science. Although he graduates today, he has already started his first job.

“I finished my placement on a Friday and got a job offer straight away to start on the Tuesday,” he said. “I’m being trained as a med lab scientist and I hope to one day become a lab manager.”

Bachelor of Biomedical Science graduand Jane Van also has big plans for 2018. She’s currently undertaking a placement at the Townsville Hospital and next year will study a Graduate Diploma of Medical Science, majoring in Clinical Science, a new course on offer at JCU.

“My placements have helped solidify what I’m learning and show me how I can apply it to the real world,” she said. “Biomedical Science has given me a great foundation and now I want to specialise in cardiac science.”

What:             Division of Tropical Health and Medicine Graduation ceremonies

When:             Wednesday 20 December, 10:30am and 3:30pm.

Where:            The Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre, Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville

Who:               746 graduands from the Colleges of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences; Medicine and Dentistry; and Healthcare Sciences.

Students available for interview:

Morning ceremony:

Benjamin Davis, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science: Benjamin may only be graduating this week but he has already begun his career in medical laboratory science. He finished his placement with Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology on a Friday and started a job with them the following Tuesday. His goal is to become a laboratory manager. Ph: 0477 551 316

Jane Van, Bachelor of Biomedical Science: Jane loves how biomedical science has given her a strong foundation in physiological and medical sciences. During her time at JCU she did placements at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane where she shadowed scientists in the neo natal intensive care unit, and at the Townsville Hospital’s respiratory unit. Ph: 0466 583 762

Afternoon ceremony:

Jade Newman, Bachelor of Nursing Science-Bachelor of Midwifery: Jade was inspired to become a nurse after helping to care for her late father. A proud Indigenous woman, Jade plans to work in rural and Indigenous communities and will start her journey with a position at the Townsville Hospital in February. Ph: 0404 292 279