Latest news with #GraduateMedicalSchoolAdmissionsTest
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Proud moment for Limerick café family as daughter graduates with five medical honours
Dr Kornelia Dembicka from Croagh, recently graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BMBS) Degree from the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences at UL's Summer Conferring ceremonies. Kornelia came to Ireland from Poland with her family at the age of six, where they settled in the county village. 'My family quickly grew fond of Limerick, and we've never considered living anywhere else. I attended Coláiste na Trócaire Secondary School in Rathkeale, where I had a truly enjoyable experience. The friendships I formed and the support I received there played a big role in shaping who I am today.' Kornelia's family is well known in Limerick city, as proprietors of Café Rose on Roche's Street, which is run by her mother Katarzyna, her sister Magda and brother-in-law Jacek. 'Café Rose has become a well-loved spot among locals and is a testament to our strong connection to the community.' Kornelia completed her undergraduate degree in biomedical science in Cork, but a placement in the pathology lab at University Hospital Limerick shifted her focus. 'While training as a medical scientist, I found myself increasingly curious about what was happening beyond the laboratory, and I realised that I was drawn to a career with more direct patient interaction. I decided to take the leap and sit the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) and apply to the School of Medicine in UL.' One of the highlights of the course for her was the extensive clinical placements in Tipperary, Clare and Limerick and Kerry, where one mentor left a lasting impression. 'My first placement was in a GP practice in Ardfert, County Kerry, under the supervision of Dr John Casey. I learned a great deal about diagnosing and managing patients during this time. Dr Casey's approach to patient care made a lasting impression on me. 'I found great fulfilment in speaking with patients, hearing their stories, and carrying out clinical examinations. I hope to demonstrate the same level of thoroughness and dedication when I begin practising next month.' Kornelia's love for academic research has featured strongly throughout her studies, having contributed to two publications during her undergraduate degree and published two papers in her own right during her graduate studies in medicine. While her final assessments, 15 exams over nine days, were one of the most challenging periods of her studies, Kornelia credits preparation and support from her community for helping her to succeed. 'My fiancé, parents, sisters, extended family and friends consistently encouraged me over the four years and ensured I could focus all of my attention on studying. Thanks to their support, I'm now able to pursue a career in medicine, and I will always be thankful for that.' The School of Medicine graduate received five medals in recognition of her outstanding academic performance at UL's Summer Conferring ceremonies: First Prize in the Discipline of Surgery, First Prize in Professional Competencies, First Prize in the Discipline of Paediatrics, First Prize for Overall Performance in the Graduate Entry Medicine Programme, as well as the O'Higgins Medal which is presented to the BMBS graduate with the highest mark in final clinical examinations in Surgery and Medicine. 'Graduating this week with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery means the world to me. Receiving these awards was an incredible honour and, quite honestly, a surprise. I had worked really hard over the four years but so had so many of my peers. It felt incredibly rewarding to have that effort recognised.' Looking ahead, Kornelia will begin her intern year at University Hospital Limerick in July and has been accepted onto the academic intern track, which provides dedicated time during the year for research. She will conduct research in the area of haematology-oncology, specifically on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, under the supervision of Professor Ruth Clifford. 'Research is what keeps me curious. I'm genuinely excited about the work ahead. It's the constant opportunity to explore new ideas and contribute to improving patient care that keeps my curiosity alive. 'With the start of my new role just around the corner, I'm excited to return to University Hospital Limerick, and finally not as a student!'
Sky News AU
14-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News AU
Cancer patient Dr Natalie Gordon becomes a doctor after her second chance at life inspired her to pursue a career in medicine
At 42-years-old, Dr Natalie Gordon is one of the newest interns to join the team at Broken Hill Base Hospital after packing up her bags to move 917km to NSW's far west, but she is no stranger to hospital halls. A cancer diagnosis propelled her on a new path or as she like to call it, 'Life 2.0'. In 2014 - eighteen years into her teaching career - Dr Gordon was feeling 'exhausted'. 'I noticed I had put on a lot of weight, and I kept getting really breathless,' she told Sky News. 'I worked at a private school so they had a doctor who would come in to see the boarders who I would visit as well but they could figure out what was going on. 'I just kept going back and towards the end I thought I was going crazy.' On the June long weekend her condition escalated. 'I got really sick to the point I couldn't eat so I took myself to hospital,' she said. 'I ended up having my appendix out, but even then, they still missed the larger part of the story. 'Six weeks later I was teaching again, and I knew something wasn't right. 'I eventually had a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy, and they told me I had cancer.' She was diagnosed with lynch syndrome, a genetic disorder which increases the risk of developing certain cancers - in Dr Gordon's case it was duodenal cancer. 'In that moment my mum was so wise, she said we don't want to know the prognosis,' Dr Gordon said. 'The surgeon said in my opinion you're 100 per cent alive or you're 100 per cent dead, that's just how it is. 'I had a whipple surgery, it was a very serious surgery, it is over six hours and for most people who get it survivorship is difficult.' Though Dr Gordon will never say she is cancer free, her health is now back on track. It's her hospital experience that sticks with her the most. 'I do worry that I was a bit disregarded, not only was I a young woman who should be well but also, I am an Indigenous woman, so I had a few things going against me,' she said. 'I think women aren't listened to in medicine and that's not anyone's fault it's just the way medicine is taught.' Determined to change that experience for others she sat the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test – and she passed. 'I didn't think I would pass but I though why not give it a go,' she said. 'I had this sense teaching wasn't for me anymore so if I didn't pass I was going to become a pilates instructor.' By no means did Dr Gordon find her studies at Australian National University easy, she even failed her first year, but she 'thought people in hospital deserve someone who is going to listen and love them despite what is in front of them'. 'When I was in my country hometown (Goulburn) I thought they don't need people blowing in then blowing out,' she said. 'There is not enough consistency in towns that need doctors like that. 'So I would like to become a rural generalist and hopefully give back to my home community.' Dr Gordon deals with constant reminders of her cancer journey now she is five months into her time at Broken Hill. 'I am deeply grateful mentally to have had the life experience of knowing how hard it is for patients,' she said. 'When I have to work with them every day I understand what it feels like to not be heard by a doctor, to not be clear about your own health, to not have autonomy over your own body.'
