ANU medical students are welcomed at the San

Staff from ANU and AHCL welcome ANU medical students to the San San, Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, partnership, placement, clinical, medical, students
2 June 2021

Adventist Healthcare Limited (AHCL) and the Australian National University (ANU) have celebrated the arrival of ANU medical students at the San, the oldest and  largest private hospital in New South Wales.

Six fourth year medical students have now commenced placements in Medicine, Surgery, and Acute Care, with each placement running for six weeks. A second group of students are readying to take up placements in Women’s Health and Newborn Care.

Brett Goods, Chief Executive Officer, AHCL said the Hospital was delighted to welcome the new students and establish the collaboration with Australia’s top research university.

“The San has a long history of teaching, and we look forward to extending that in partnership with a university that has an outstanding medical program and some of the best medical research programs in the country.”

“Here at the San, the medical students have a unique opportunity to be taught by senior clinicians, learning from some of the most experienced and well-respected in New South Wales. Much health care in Australia is delivered in the private setting and our leading doctors play a critical role in introducing future doctors to this environment.”

Professor Russell Gruen, Dean of the ANU College of Health and Medicine, acknowledged the significance of the occasion for the university and its medical students.

“I’m delighted that the partnership with the San will provide additional opportunities for ANU students to learn from senior clinicians, including many of New South Wales’ healthcare leaders, and for students to learn about private sector healthcare at a private hospital well known for its commitment to outstanding patient care.” 

“The commencement of our student placements is a key step in our shared goal of developing an ANU Sydney Adventist Hospital Clinical School. I am pleased to welcome Associate Professor Michael Hughes to the ANU faculty and am grateful for his leadership of the Clinical School project.” 

The students were formally welcomed at an event at the San’s Clinical Education Centre on 17 May, a modern facility, complete with conference facilities, small and large group teaching spaces, a simulation centre and skills workshop, and a healthcare library. Dr Isabelle Kapterian, now a Medical Administration Registrar at the San and one of the first medical students to train at the San offered this advice to the new ANU students:

“The learning experience at the San is unparalleled. Take up every opportunity available to you. Here you will be surrounded by people who know that your student years are some of the toughest years of your life, and will give you a unique opportunity to improve yourself as a doctor clinically, and also professionally and personally.”

The event was attended by students, clinicians and staff, including Mr Brett Goods (CEO, AHCL), Professor Grady Venville (Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Academic, ANU), Professor Russell Gruen (Dean, ANU College of Health and Medicine), and Associate Professor Alex Webb (Deputy Director, ANU Medical School).