THE University of Newcastle will reserve up to six places in its medical program for students who have overcome major life challenges, including domestic violence, refugee status and carer responsibilities.
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UON Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Alex Zelinsky, said the Excellence through Equity Pathway to Medicine pilot program would build on UON's commitment to broadening participation for students from all backgrounds.
"There are many examples of medical researchers and health practitioners world-wide who have used their own circumstances and background as a driver for positive change in healthcare and health outcomes for patients," Professor Zelinsky said.
"Many people in our community will be familiar with our Open Foundation and Newstep programs, which have long provided successful pathways into undergraduate health disciplines.
"But until now there has been no similar program available for entry into medicine. This new enabling pathway to the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (Joint Medical Program) strengthens the university's commitment to equity across our degree programs and I'm pleased we are taking additional steps to ensure we are graduating high-quality medical practitioners who reflect our society."
Students who complete the Open Foundation or Newstep programs will be eligible for the pathway into medicine if they meet academic and interview criteria and three additional equity indicators.
These include financial hardship; regional, rural, remote or isolated area; carer responsibilities; refugee status; sole parent; personal illness or disability; experience of domestic and family violence; out-of-home care experience; school status and being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor Faculty of Health and Medicine Professor Elizabeth Sullivan said a medical workforce that "better reflects the broader community where they work will ensure that health services and approaches to care are developed and provided with the full diversity of the population in mind".
"In turn, this can lead to greater health equity in our society."
Open Foundation graduate and medical engineering student Kurtis Simpson welcomed the new pathway.
He started university aged 26 and said UON's enabling program, teachers and support personnel "made the transition as easy as possible".
"Had the Excellence through Equity Pathway to Medicine been on offer there is no doubt that I would have jumped at the opportunity to apply for medicine, as I think it's a field that thrives on the diversity of experience that its practitioners bring," he said.
Students will also be eligible if they've already graduated from an enabling program, completed an additional 12 months study and meet the equity criteria.
The pathway was developed through a collaboration between the Faculty of Health and Medicine, the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education, and the Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre.
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