Local doctor comes full circle
In 2006, Dr Vanessa Hughes left her hometown in rural Australia to study a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at the 成人大片. Today, Vanessa holds positions as both a General Practitioner, working in a local practice, and as a Lecturer at the 成人大片 Medical School.
Vanessa was born聽in the United Kingdom. At age two she聽emigrated to the Northern Territory聽with her parents and older sister. 聽聽
鈥淭his small town upbringing provided exposure to health and social inequities that ignited my passion in healthcare. Having school friends who would have loved to study interstate at University, but didn鈥檛 have the means to do so, ensured I embraced the opportunity and never took my tertiary education for granted,鈥 said Vanessa.聽
鈥淐oming from the country meant I had to live away from home during my University studies, which incurred significant expense."聽
鈥淲ith the scholarship I was able to prioritise my academic pursuits, for which I am very grateful.鈥
鈥淲ithout the scholarship I would have been under pressure to work more hours to fund my studies, accommodation expenses and medical textbooks.聽I dare say that would have come as a detriment to my academic success. Additionally, I was able to travel to Alice Springs during University holidays to do medical placements, which furthered my experience in rural and remote Medicine.鈥
Life after university
After completing her MBBS, Vanessa spent several years working at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the Women鈥檚 and Children鈥檚 Hospital, before embarking on specialty training in General Practice.聽
鈥淚n recent years I feel I have come full circle in a sense, as I am now teaching students at the 成人大片 Medical School, in addition to my clinical work.鈥
*Dr Vanessa Hughes teaches Clinical Practice (interviewing and examining patients) and Medical Personal and Professional Development (communication, ethics and medicolegal).聽
Career highlights
鈥淗elping patients navigate the difficult road of terminal illness, providing quality palliative care and guiding the family members left behind through their grief is always rewarding, despite how challenging it can be. Advocating for vulnerable patients, witnessing others conquer addiction, helping some to maintain their independence and meeting the babies of new parents, are all part of the daily highlights reel from a day in General Practice."
A message for our donor community
鈥淚 was honoured to be a recipient of the Augustus Short Scholarship and would like to pass on my sincerest thanks to past and future donors to the fund."
"The value of such a gift should not be underestimated 鈥 it can literally change the course of a young person鈥檚 career, and indeed their life.鈥
Make a gift today
In 2020, there were 84聽Augustus Short Scholarship applications, but only three could be awarded.聽
Your gift will have a direct聽impact on disadvantaged students across the state for years to come.聽
You can make a gift online in honour of Dr Augustus Short or by getting in touch with our Development team on +61聽8聽8313聽5800 or聽development@adelaide.edu.au