Dynamic duo to start their career at Mater
They met in their first year of medical school and, this month, Malaysia’s Dr Wai Kit Lim and Dr Huay Ziah Goh realised their shared dream of becoming doctors.
The couple are among 10 junior doctors from six countries to be awarded internships at Mater Private Hospital Townsville. The cohort completed their orientation in January and have now commenced their internship in wards across North Queensland.
Dr Lim said he felt privileged to have the opportunity to travel around the world and share this experience with his partner.
“Huay Ziah and I met just before we began our medical degree at Monash University Malaysia in 2017. To now be working together and being here at Mater, which has such a good reputation for its junior doctor learning experience is exciting,” Dr Lim said.
“The weather here is also similar to Malaysia so it does get quite warm but then in winter is cool and cosy, so it was an easy choice.”
Dr Goh said Mater’s reputation and partnerships made its junior doctor program attractive nationally and internationally.
“By choosing Mater Private Hospital Townsville for our junior doctor program, it meant we would get to experience both private and public systems as well as work in a city and then also do a rotation in Mount Isa as well,” Dr Goh said.
“I think this experience will also be even better having Kit here with me – he is my main support and a huge emotional support as well, I’m very happy he’s here. We both agreed Mater was our first choice when we were applying for internships, so were very excited to both be accepted!”
Mater Private Hospital Townsville Medical Education Officer Beth Hickson said the Mater junior doctor program was recognised internationally for the diverse areas of healthcare its junior doctors were exposed to.
“Mater Private Hospital Townsville is excited to be welcoming 10 junior doctors from six countries for our 2023 medical intern program, with countries including Malaysia and Zimbabwe” Ms Hickson said.
“An integral part of the junior doctor program is our partnerships with both Townsville Hospital and Health Service and North West Hospital and Health Service’s Mount Isa Hospital ensuring interns are exposed to all levels of healthcare: from being in fast-paced wards to having more personalised experiences and following patients through their entire hospital visit.”
Mater Private Hospital Townsville Interim Executive Officer Stephanie Barwick said Mater’s international reputation was testament to the one-on-one education and training provided to its staff.
“On behalf of all Mater People, I want to welcome the 10 junior doctors who have joined us for 2023 and wish them all the best for their time in North Queensland,” Ms Barwick said.
“Mater Private Hospital Townsville is committed to empower all people to live better lives through improved health and wellbeing, and we are excited to be welcoming 10 junior doctors who embody this Vision.”
For more information on Mater Private Hospital Townsville’s junior doctor program, visit matertsv.org.au.
