In a first-ever for the new $85M Central Coast Clinical School in the grounds of Gosford Hospital, final year medical students will be able to apply for scholarships under the Crestani Scholarship Foundation.
The student doctors will be awarded a total of $30,000 over three years to continue medical studies under the Cancer Medical Student Scholarships being funded by the Foundation.
The initiative will be officially announced at the annual Crestani Scholarship awards night on December 10 at the new state-of-the-art, purpose-built clinical school, with scholarships valued at almost $85,000 to be awarded for this year.
“The building will be a magnificent back drop for our annual awards where we will not only present the scholarships, but also thank our many sponsors and wonderful volunteers who ensure the Crestani Foundation continues to thrive,” founder, Yvonne Crestani, said.
“Their continual support ensures the Foundation provides better outcomes for Central Coast cancer patients through education.
“This year has the added excitement of not only holding the awards at the new clinical school, but also celebrating our collaboration with the University of Newcastle.
“It means this is not just a building but an amazing learning space.”
Crestani founded the Foundation in memory of her husband Chris, who was chief radiation therapist at St Vincent’s hospital and sadly died from cancer himself.
A number of fund-raising events are held throughout the year with proceeds going to towards funding the annual scholarships and grants aimed at supporting the education process for radiation therapists, physicists, nurses and now final year medical students.
The event will be hosted by the Central Coast Clinical School Manager of Operations, Claire Bridgman, and will see successful radiation therapy students studying for their degree at the University of Newcastle presented with their scholarships by Associate Professor, Yolanda Surjan, the University of Newcastle’s radiation therapy lead and director for the Global Centre of Excellence for Research and Training in Radiation Oncology.
“The support of the Crestani Scholarships over the past three years has been instrumental in not only giving students opportunities to engage with clinical research and upskilling their skills but has also led to ongoing employment in some cases,” Surjan said.
Bridgman said the simulation centre in the new centre, co-located with Gosford Hospital, delivered state of the art technology.
“This technology allows for simulation experiences in real life clinical situations and supplements and enhances the clinical education of health and medical students in a safe place,” she said.
This year scholarships will include a Rural Equity scholarship, a First in Family scholarship, Central Coast Cancer Centre scholarships, Central Coast Community scholarships, a Women in Leadership scholarship, a Volunteerism scholarship and a Pathway scholarship.
Funding will also be made available for three Central Coast Cancer Centre radiation therapists to participate in a Zoom Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation conference, a physicist to attend a Zoom International Physics Conference and one scholarship per year for five years for MRI radiation therapist courses.
Source:
Media release, Nov 30
Crestani Foundation