Attadale local Silvia Piviali is looking forward to studying medicine at Curtin University\u2019s proposed medical school.<\/p>\n
The Curtin graduate and mother of two young children said she had often considered studying medicine.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to study medicine to put to good use what I consider are ideal personal qualities for a doctor \u2013 being compassionate and caring toward others, a good communicator and being curious about how the body works,\u201d Silvia said.<\/p>\n
Silvia said having her children, three-year-old Jonathan and seven-month-old Chiara, had meant she had put her ambitions to study medicine on hold for the time being. But the prospect of the five-year direct entry undergraduate degree proposed by Curtin University was very attractive.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was in December of 2010 when I heard on the radio that Curtin University was considering offering this course and I thought \u2018at last, if anyone is equipped, it\u2019s Curtin,\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Silvia said she believed Western Australia needed more locally trained doctors servicing the community quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cA direct route into medical studies provides an opportunity for keen students to start their medical education immediately, rather than working through an unrelated three-year undergraduate degree,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also seems unfair that direct-entry medical degrees are available in other parts of Australia, but not in WA.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silvia graduated from Curtin in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science (Medical Science)* and now has her own business as an editor and science communicator.<\/p>\n
She said she was the first member of her family to go to university and had developed a strong passion for Curtin, which had deepened over the years in her professional working life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe the quality of Curtin\u2019s teaching staff, the great facilities, the team-based approach to learning and the many years of experience of delivering clinical courses like medical science and nursing make it the perfect candidate for WA\u2019s next medical school,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
As a student, the 32-year-old said she had developed a love for the world of microbes and disease but said she would ultimately love to work as a general practitioner.<\/p>\n
\u201cNaturally, whilst an infectious disease or microbiology specialty would be fantastic, it\u2019s not that conducive to family life so I would probably lean toward a general practitioner specialty and servicing the community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
To register support for Curtin University’s proposed medical school visit doctorsforthefuture.com.au<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Note to editor Contact: <\/strong><\/p>\n Kristy Jones, Public Relations, Curtin University
\n<\/strong>* This degree is now known as the Bachelor of Science (Laboratory Medicine).<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Tel: 08 9266 9085, Mobile: 0402 517 300, Email: k.jones@curtin.edu.au<\/a><\/p>\n