Whitsunday Anglican School Launches Medical Pathways Research Partnership With MHHS

Whitsunday Anglican School launches Medical Pathways research partnership with MHHS. L-R: Dr Matthew Hiskens, Mackay HHS Principal Research Fellow, Senara Wasalthilaka, Student, Soham Rana, Student, Andrew Wheaton, Principal, and Dr Ashwita Venkatesh, Director of Medical Pathways. Photo supplied

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Whitsunday Anglican School is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) which will offer students a unique opportunity to experience real-world medical research.

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As part of the school’s expanding Medical Pathways programme, two students each term will have the opportunity to undertake a research placement with the Mackay Institute of Research and Innovation (MIRI) which is the research arm of Mackay HHS. The placements will occur during school holidays and run for over three to four days, providing students with valuable insight into clinical research and innovation.

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During the placement, students will work alongside research fellows, research translation staff and innovation teams, gaining experience in research planning, protocol design, project management, data analysis and writing for publication. They will also have the opportunity toassist with processing clinical samples, contribute to research communication through poster design with the communications team, attend Friday Hospital Grand Rounds, and engage in discussions with principal investigators of clinical trials.

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While students will not have direct patient contact, the experience is carefully designed to ensure confidentiality and uphold the highest ethical standards.

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This initiative will provide a broader cohort of students with exposure to research environments, career pathways, and the diverse roles within health and medical innovation.

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Director of Medical Pathways at Whitsunday Anglican School, Dr Ashwita Venkatesh, said the programme will provide students with an authentic and meaningful introduction to translational research.

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“Experiences such as attending Grand Rounds and contributing to research communication will help them better understand the connection between scientific discovery and patient outcomes,” Dr Venkatesh said.

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“We are particularly pleased to be working collaboratively on the ethics component of the programme. Introducing students to key principles such as professionalism, non-maleficence, autonomy and confidentiality will provide a strong foundation for any future pathway in medicine or health research.”

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Principal of Whitsunday Anglican School, Mr Andrew Wheaton, said the partnership reflects the school’s commitment to providing meaningful, future-focused learning opportunities.

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“We are delighted to be working alongside MHHS to bring these opportunities to life,” Mr Wheaton said.

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Mackay HHS Principal Research Fellow, Dr Matthew Hiskens said it’s important for students planning their career path to have knowledge of local opportunities available.

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“It’s great to highlight opportunities for the next generation of the medical workforce, and to show students that rewarding careers in health and research can happen right here in the Mackay region,”

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“After high school, what drew me to research was the chance to explore unknown questions, and I hope this experience gives the students an insight into research career paths.” Dr Hiskens said.

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