As first in her family to pursue a medical degree, mum of two Claire Griffiths knows it’s not just her who is celebrating her achievement of graduating this year.
“I’m so very grateful for everyone who has helped me get to this point,” she said.
” They say it takes a village to help raise a child; it also takes a village to help raise a doctor too.
“My great grandmother, who is an elder in Hobart was in hospital earlier this year, and she was so excited about my studies and becoming a doctor, she was telling everyone.”
Born and bred on the Coast, Claire knew early on that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine to help people after a family member became ill and had to undergo an organ transplant.
Claire was a young mum, whose eldest child was only nine months old, when she embarked on her dream to attend medical school.
Every Sunday night, Claire would travel to Hobart to attend her weekly classes and return home to the Coast on a Friday. For the first two years of the degree Claire travelled the state before completing the remaining years at the Rural Clinical School in Burnie.
Her determination and commitment to her profession has not gone unseen, where at the Declaration of Geneva, she was acknowledged with the 2021 G.E. Clemons Prize. The award is presented to a student who has been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, who shows the potential to possess the qualities of humanity, conscientiousness and devotion to the profession of medicine.
“I really enjoyed my study. I loved being a student. I’ve always loved learning and learning new things. It’s been such a rewarding time in my life,” she said.
With her husband and family on the Coast, Claire plans to remain on the North West where she has her sights set on becoming a rural generalist GP.
“When I was at the Rural Clinical School I completed an elective in Queenstown, and I really enjoyed the experience,” she said.
“I’m planning on doing a term in 2022 as part of the Tasmanian rural general scholarship in Queenstown, where I’ll be able to start my journey towards specialising as a rural generalist, who is trained as a GP with extra skills to assist people in rural community settings.
“Further to my studies, I’ve been able to meet other mums who are doctors and it’s been fantastic to have that help and peer support.
“I’ve had the most rewarding experience studying medicine and can’t wait to begin my career.”
Claire joined her peers from the Rural Clinical School for graduation recently.
Caption: Claire with husband Brendan and youngest child, Scarlet.
