Uni-vision
Student leaders at our State’s medical schools lay out plans for 2025
Andrew Chang
President
Western Australian Medical Students’ Society (WAMSS)
Medicine is a dynamic field and constantly evolving. Medical education and the training of our doctors is no different. The challenges medical students face today are vastly different to what they were in the past, and what they will be in the future.
This is my second term as the president of the Western Australian Medical Students’ Society, the oldest of its kind in Western Australia; and one of the most active in the whole country.
I have gained critical experience over the past three years on the society’s executive board, and I have no doubt changed both personally and professionally alongside the progression in my clinical training. This year, I strive to tackle three key issues our students face, with the help of university stakeholders, the AMA (WA) and the Department of Health.
- Career planning: This is the overlooked younger brother of our academic portfolio, which is a struggle many students, and even doctors in training, face today. I seek to expand our academic portfolio
to cater more towards career planning to address this. - Workforce distribution: This has always been a supply and demand issue. In the late 20th century, the status quo was a perceived doctor surplus. Prior to that, we had a perceived shortage. Currently, the data shows yet again another shortage. However, the narrative cannot simply be “we need more doctors”. More public education on the training of doctors where we need them, and training pathways, would go a long way. I seek to change the narrative.
- Placement “poverty”: In line with our national body, the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA), it is critical that the government acknowledges a means-tested living expenses payment, and that medical students are not pinched when they are needed the most in the future. The Medical Students’ Council of Western Australia (MSCWA) will continue to work on this.
I have a lot of optimism for the future, and I believe that our students are brighter than ever. However, more work can be done to ensure a better future for our profession and health for all Western Australians.
Shreya Salunkay
President
Curtin Association of Medical Students (CAMS)
As the youngest medical school in Western Australia, our Curtin students have made great strides in the last eight years to develop an identity and community. Along with my team, I am looking forward to continuing to provide support and opportunities for our peers to flourish.
We aim to create events for our cohorts to connect with other medical students and network with medical professionals, to empower them for their future pathways.
We also hope to facilitate environments for students to learn more about social and medical issues affecting marginalised groups, such as the culturally and linguistically diverse population of Australia.
We are also centring our advocacy efforts with other medical societies via MSCWA around alleviating the rising cost of living for our students on clinical placements.
It is a privilege to represent such a well-rounded community of future doctors, and I am excited for what the year holds.
Oliver Smith
President
Medical Students’ Association of Notre Dame (MSAND)
As the President of MSAND, I’m excited and humbled to continue the work of my predecessors in serving the medical students of Notre Dame, Fremantle. A key focus for this year can be summarised with a single word: community.
MSAND aims to continue reinforcing the educational, social and broadening opportunities for its students, while building infrastructure to foster connectedness within and beyond medical school for its students.
In this spirit, we’ve turned our sights to the formation of an Alumni Network, with intent to host our first alumni event and publication this year.
“ MSAND aims to continue reinforcing the educational, social and broadening opportunities for its students, while building infrastructure to foster connectedness within and beyond medical school for its students.
If you’re a Notre Dame Freo alumni and keen to stay up to date, please register on our website: https://msand.org.au/alumni/#register.
I am excited for a year of ongoing growth for MSAND, and strengthening the inter-university relationships between Medical Societies and broader advocacy with MSCWA.