You’ve heard of a PhD, but have you heard of the MChD?

The MChD, known as the Medicinae ac Chirurgiae Doctoranda in Latin, is awarded to the other doctors at ANU: the Doctors of Medicine.   

For the past 16 years, over 800 medical students have graduated with a MChD from the ANU Medical School.

But the ANU Medical School doesn’t just train Australia’s next generation of health practitioners; they also undertake research to enhance education and healthcare that underpins improvements in the patient experience, health service delivery and the health of our nation.

Find out more about the other doctors at ANU, and their work over at the ANU Medical School.

A Medical School was planned for Canberra »

Walter Burley Griffin’s plan for the design of Canberra designated Acton Peninsula as a hospital site, placing it adjacent to a university where he envisaged a medical school would be located.

Medical doctors do research too »

The ANU Medical School has 58 academic staff members, 290 honorary academics, 48 PhD students and 13 MPhil students. The research is both fundamental in nature and applied, directly addressing clinical problems, public health issues or how health services are delivered. Essentially, the research focuses on helping patients and our community have a better experience and health outcome.

Over 90 new doctors for our community each year

Each year, between 90 and 100 students graduate from the MChD and join the ranks of the medical profession. There are 400 students across the four year program, 108 of which are on Bonded Medical Places. Students on a bonded placement sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia, committing them to working in a district of workforce shortage equal to the number of years of their medical degree. In addition, 94 medical students are from rural areas, 36 are international students, and eight are indigenous students.

Going bush »

The ANU Medical School was founded to facilitate the development of a local and regional medical workforce in the ACT and South-East NSW. One of the truly unique aspects of the ANU MChD is the rural experience. During their third year, every student undertakes a minimum six-week placement in a rural location, living and working as a member of a rural medical community.

Our medical students excel in the theatre »

And not just theatres of the operating kind. The ANU Med Revue close to $15,000 annually, all of which is donated to a local charity. The 2016 Med Revue won three prizes at the 2016 Canberra Area Theatre Awards: Best Variety Show, Best Original Work and Best Performance by an Individual.

Inspiring doctors »

If being Dean of the ANU Medical School wasn’t enough, Professor Mitchell is also a Senior Intensive Care Specialist at the Canberra Hospital, as well as a researcher of hospital systems to improve end of life care. She’s just one of the many inspiring doctors teaching at ANU, who offer their time as a contribution to educating future medical professionals.

Donate your body to the ANU Medical School »

ANU is one of few Australian universities honoured with a body and tissue donation program. Medical students have the opportunity to perform detailed examination of human bodies post mortem learn faster and gain special insight into the anatomical relationships of organs, muscles and bones.

…Or just volunteer your time as a patient »

If you can’t bring yourself to commit to body donation just yet, why not volunteer yourself as a patient? Within a simulated learning environment, volunteers act as live physical models for small groups of first and second year students who are learning physical examination skills.