Northern Territory Medical Program third year student Senuri Pinto has been awarded the Australian Medical Association Northern Territory Prize by the Australian Medical Association NT.
The award, which has run for more than a decade, is given to a student completing their second year of the Flinders University NT Medical Program who is recognised as having the potential to make an outstanding contribution to healthcare.
Ms Pinto has demonstrated academic improvement (over Years 1 & 2), leadership qualities and initiative through her studies and extra-curricular activities.
The local student, who completed her schooling at Darwin High School completed her undergraduate Bachelor of Clinical Sciences pathway at Charles Darwin University before continuing onto the NTMP.
Ms Pinto also shows a strong commitment towards community service, when she has visited schools for career talks, tutored students as part of the Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme and the Peer Assisted Study Leader at Charles Darwin University.
She been a member of the Student Association for Rural and Remote Health since 2018 and was the 2021 president during which time she organised clinical skills nights and social events including the 2021 Health Fundraiser Ball alongside the Top End Pharmacy Student Association which saw the event raise $7000 for Purple House.
She is also the Year 3 Medical Doctor General Medicine Hospital Placement team leader, currently undertaking her placement at Royal Darwin Hospital with the surgical team.
Ms Pinto said she was grateful for the recognition from Flinders University and the AMA for her hard work.
“I feel very thankful for those who selected me, I also want to say congratulations to all the other nominees who are also well deserving of this award as well,” Ms Pinto said.
NT Medical Program director Associate Professor Dr Emma Kennedy said Ms Pinto demonstrated the qualities a doctor trained in the Northern Territory needed.
“Ms Pinto is a dedicated student who is a great role model for future NTMP pupils. Her dedication to her studies and to the wider community are to be celebrated,” Dr Kennedy said.
“We thank the AMA NT for their generosity in funding this award, it provides students with financial support to help ease the pressure while they undertake their placements around the NT.”
AMA NT president Associate Professor Dr Robert Parker said the award each year recognised and promoted the talent and skills of a student and their medical education.
We are always looking to support medical excellence and that’s why the AMA has been happy to support providing access to local medical education,” he said.
As part of her award, she received a $1000 prize.