Part of the Flinders team advocating for rural health

 

It was through her own medical emergency and being rushed to hospital just before her Year 12 exams that led to Tilly Lyons pursuing studies in health and medicine.

“I found the process of being a patient and having a team of health professionals work out what was wrong with me and fix it was fascinating,” Tilly says. “I quickly began studying health and science at university to explore the area further.”

Originally from the Northern Territory, Tilly’s education journey led her to study Medicine at Flinders and be part of the MD Rural Stream after graduating with a Bachelor of Biomedicine from the University of Melbourne, completing her major in immunology and then then returning to the Territory and completing honours investigating chronic lung infections in child populations in the far north with the Child Health team at the Menzies School of Health.

“I know how important health teams in rural and remote communities are that understand the context of the community they work in,” Tilly says.

“I am passionate about rural and indigenous health which has stemmed from my own experiences so far and couldn’t imagine studying medicine without the opportunity to go rural.

“To already be a part of a team that advocates for the health of their community here in Kapunda, it is such an invaluable honour to be starting my training here.”

Committed to regional training

After two years of medical study without being able to see patients during the pandemic, Tilly says she found the first month of placement overwhelming but also exciting.

“I have been seeing patients in the practice and assisting in surgery. Only the second week had me in A&E stitching up trauma wounds and doing baby checks on the bubs born overnight.”

Tilly admits she’s still not set on which field she sees herself practicing yet as every time she sees something new, she is back at square one trying to decide on a specialisation.

And while she laughs that it comes with a mix of frustration and excitement in not deciding just yet, either way she is sure she will be training in regional SA or NT.

“I love visiting and learning in new places and I know I will be immersing myself in communities regardless of the training I pursue.

“No matter what direction I go in, the patients and the doctors I have worked with in Kapunda will be my first clinical memories. These will make up the foundation of my training I will continually strive to build upon.”

Learn more about studying Medicine at Flinders

Learn more about opportunities through Flinders Rural and Remote Health SA

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