L to R: Julia, Kat, and Sonali
From study to scrubs: meet some of our new medical interns kickstarting incredible careers at Queensland Health.
Queensland Health has welcomed its largest-ever cohort of medical interns this month, with 931 newcomers stepping into hospitals across the state.
This record intake marks a significant milestone for Queensland Health, strengthening frontline clinical teams and ensuring communities continue to receive high-quality, compassionate care close to home.
These interns will rotate through a range of clinical areas including emergency, cardiology, orthopaedics, anaesthetics, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, intensive care, mental health, medicine and surgery.
Many will also gain experience in rural and regional settings, with 56 interns joining the Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway.
As these new doctors take their first steps into clinical practice, they bring with them diverse backgrounds, fresh perspectives and a shared commitment to caring for Queenslanders.
Among the many new faces are Sonali and Julia, both interning at the Gold Coast University Hospital, and Kat, who has been placed at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Kat didn’t really know what she wanted to do when she left school, but after an experience with healthcare when she was very young, she said it’s always been in the back of her mind.
“I had a very complex surgery for a rare tumour when I was about 13-years-old,” Kat said.
“As a patient, I know how much it means to receive care, reassurance, and kindness from doctors – that’s always stayed with me.
“Funnily enough the surgeon who operated on me now works at the Royal, I ran into her, it’s been almost like a full circle moment.”
Similarly, Sonali’s journey to medicine began before university. Growing up she shared a special bond with her grandmother, a registered nurse, and said that special relationship is what shaped her path.
“My grandmother always saw something in me,” Sonali said.
“After she passed, I found myself drawn to medicine in a way I couldn’t ignore. I realised there was nothing else I wanted to do.
“I’m looking forward to being there for people in their most vulnerable moments – it’s a privilege to step into that responsibility.”
Also joining Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service is Julia who has relocated from Tasmania to start her internship.
Originally from Malaysia, Julia’s interest in medicine began with a fascination for biology and the human body.
She began her studies overseas before transferring to the Royal Hobart Hospital where she worked alongside several Queensland-trained doctors, who inspired her to make the move to the sunshine state.
“I was really impressed by the doctors I met who had trained in Queensland,” Julia said.
“They were skilled, compassionate, and confident and I thought ‘that’s the kind of doctor I want to be.’
“I can’t wait to officially start - it feels like the beginning of something really meaningful.”
Across Queensland, interns will be placed across 16 Hospital and Health Services, including nine regional and rural sites such as Townsville, Cairns, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton and Mackay.
Many metropolitan interns will also undertake rural rotations, supporting care in communities where their skills are needed.
Metro North Health will host the largest group of interns this year with 203 commencing. Metro South Health will welcome 166 interns, and Gold Coast (106), Sunshine Coast (79), Townsville (74), Darling Downs (61) and West Moreton (52) Hospital and Health Services will also see strong intakes.
For Sonali, Julia, Kat and hundreds of their peers, this week marks the beginning of a career defined by service, learning and the opportunity to make a real difference.