Dr Sara Baqar
After having graduated from Monash University in 2003, I began my internship with Austin Health in 2004. I chose Austin as they had a reputation for being an excellent institution to gain futher medical training, whilst maintaing a warm and friendly working environment. I wasn't disappointed. I am now the Senior Medical Registrar at The Northern Hospital and its my sixth year with this network. This ability to retain staff speaks volume of Austin Health. I have never felt a need to leave and find a better institution because I truly feel that there isn't one. At Austin I began as an outsider but was quickly made to feel like I had always belonged. My time spent studying for the RACP exams was both the most stressful, but also the most fulfilling time in my medical career. I met my study group who became like my family. I had tremendous support from the Consortium. Whether it was receiving guidance from the Directors of Physician Training, or talking to the Senior Medical Registrar and Consortium Manager about my fear of the dreaded exams, I was always supported and encouraged. There is a lot of effort, dedication and planning that goes into the Physician training program and the excellent results achieved by the Consortium are reflective of this collaborative hard work. Austin Health is genuinely one of those rare places where you don't feel like you're at work. You feel just as relaxed and supported as if you were at home!
Dr Mark NgTangFui
My initial experience of Austin Health was as a first year medical student on a clinical visit during the gastroenterology/liver rotation. I was so impressed by my tutor in the liver transplant unit that I decided to come back for my clinical studies from fourth to sixth year. I continued at the Austin for my highly varied Internship year, followed by medical resident years and successful completion of the FRACP exams in 2008. In 2009 I had the privilege of undertaking the Elizabeth Austin (senior medical) Registrar position and in 2010 I will start my advanced training in Endocrinology. I will (reluctantly) leave the Austin for my second year of Endocrinology training in 2011.
I have experienced the Physician training program as a participant (2006-2008) and as the organiser (2009). I found the support provided for those undertaking the exams exceptional and was inspired among a highly diverse yet overwhelmingly supportive group of 32 Medical Registrars. As the Organising Registrar for the 2009 FRACP exam and training program I have been impressed with the resources available to help our trainees pass their written and clinical exams. We have a remarkable number of Advanced trainees, Fellows, Consultants and Professors assisting with the training program, delivered with dependable IT and logistical support. We organise mock exams at three different hospitals to help prepare trainees for the unfamiliarity of sitting the exam at an instertate hospital.
First year advanced training positions are invariably filled by our recently successful registrars whilst unsuccessful registrars are supported by their peers with subsequent jobs tailored to assist as much as possible for a successful attempt.
