Recently retired, Dr Simon Madin (MBBS 1977) spent much of his career working as a rural and remote GP. He is a mentor to future rural GP and current Doctor of Medicine student, Jacob Carmichael. But the learning is far from one-sided.
The MDHS Mentoring Program connects final year students with alumni volunteers who have experience in a student’s area of career interest.
The program supports students as they prepare to transition into the health workforce after university. Students ask questions and share their career aspirations and challenges with mentors, who can be an honest and valuable guide and sounding board.
Here, a mentor and mentee share their experiences of the 2024 Mentoring Program and highlight that mentoring is a two-way learning process that enriches students and their alumni mentors alike.
Jacob Carmichael, final year Doctor of Medicine student
“Just after high school, a good friend passed away from an asthma attack. Seeing hospital staff trying to resuscitate her gave me the greatest respect for the medical profession. Not long after that I was involved in a resuscitation and realised I was capable of taking action in a stressful situation.
“As a result, I enrolled at Melbourne Medical School, which has been stimulating and rewarding. As graduation drew closer, I had a large bucket of interests. I joined the mentor program because I was at a crossroads. I was interested in rural medicine and I wanted to speak to someone with rural experience. Simon has been the perfect mentor to bounce ideas off.
“We met once every few weeks and he explained how he ended up working in the Northern Territory. We discussed how he managed in emergency situations when you have less support around you. I asked what additional skills he felt would be useful and he nominated anaesthetics and obstetrics.
Next year I’ll be based in Warrnambool, in a hospital and with a local GP. Simon and I will stay in touch so I can continue to ask him questions. I see him as a friend as well as a mentor. Nothing can replace having a relationship with a senior doctor who works in the speciality you’re interested in.
Dr Simon Madin (MBBS 1977)
“I was born in the country, and was always interested in country practice. As a student I did electives with a GP near Colac and the Royal Flying Doctor Service in the Kimberley. In the holidays I worked at Balgo, between Derby and Alice Springs.
“When I graduated, I did hospital rotations for surgical, anaesthetic and obstetric experience. I’ve worked in a number of remote locations, including 12 years in the Northern Territory. As a rural GP you treat [everyone from] newborns to the elderly. You look after people throughout their lives, which makes it a wonderful career.
“I offered to be a mentor to Jacob. I hope I was able to help him clarify his goals. I see mentoring as a listening role, sharing experiences and helping him clarify which direction he’d like to move in.
The mentor-mentee relationship is very much a two-way process and I’ve learned about the current medical course structure and the options available. I’ve been impressed with Jacob’s commitment to his chosen path.
It’s enriching to speak to a young person at the start of their medical career. I feel very confident about Australia’s medical future after meeting someone with Jacob’s character, drive and altruistic aims.
Interested in mentoring a student? Express your interest and find out more here: mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/engage/alumni/mentoring