The Vijayasekaran Family and Smith Coffey Rural Pathway Scholarship in Medicine
In 2015, Smith Coffey partnered with the Vijayasekaran family in providing the UWA Rural Pathway Scholarship in Medicine.
The purpose of the scholarship is to ensure that a student disadvantaged by geography or circumstance can receive the university education that will enable them to achieve their potential, and realise their dreams of becoming a doctor.
We saw this scholarship as a way to assist with alleviating the cost burden of a seven-year degree as well as the associated cost for students and families of living away from a rural home.
It’s important to Smith Coffey to give something back to individuals who add so much value in the community.
Caitlyn Taylor from Bunbury was the worthy recipient of the 2015 scholarship, and we’ve been closely following her journey as she navigates her way through her medical degree.
We’re extremely proud of her achievements and we’re excited that she will soon graduate and commence her career as a doctor in 2022.
Below is an update from Caitlyn (August 2021):
“It seems surreal that this is my final update letter, after seven years at the University of Western Australia, all the while being supported by this wonderful scholarship.
Since the last update, I completed my Rural Clinical School year in Broome, which was an incredible opportunity and one I look back on fondly. My experiences in Broome, Fitzroy Crossing, the Bidyadanga community and Kununurra will always stay with me, as I carry the knowledge I have gained into my clinical practice.
After returning to Perth, I commenced my fourth year and final year of clinical placement. Thus far I have had some of my favourite placements of my medical degree, including an Anaesthetics rotation at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Renal Medicine at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Palliative Care at Bethesda Hospital, Addiction Medicine at the Fresh Start Recovery Programme and Ear, Nose and Throat surgery at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
I have also recently completed a research project on prediabetes and diabetes prevention, which I presented at the mid-year research seminar for UWA medical students. This research opportunity required a significant time commitment, beyond regular full-time study, and therefore would not have been possible without the financial assistance this scholarship provides.
Finally, I am excited to announce that I have been offered a three-year contract with Royal Perth Hospital following the completion of my studies and will begin my internship year as a junior doctor in January 2022. I have always enjoyed my time at Royal Perth as a student, and their motto “Servio” is one which resonates strongly with me. I look forward to commencing this next chapter of my life at Royal Perth, following in the footsteps of my mentors.
Thank you for the interest you have shown in my studies, and your generosity over the past seven years, which has ensured that I have been able to maintain focus and achieve my academic goals.
Yours sincerely,
Caitlyn
Fuelling the Frontline
We’re proud to be a start-up sponsor of Fuelling the Frontline, providing free coffees to our hospital workers through the coronavirus pandemic.
We’re relying on healthcare workers more than ever and Smith Coffey is doing our part to support the doctors, nurses, allied health workers and cleaners in our hospitals.
Show your appreciation and support by shouting our hospital staff a coffee.
Supporting Mental & Physical Wellbeing
Smith Coffey supports the mental and physical wellbeing of our staff. During April we provided free yoga sessions to assist with balance and flexibility, as well as reduce stress and increase energy and focus.
Here’s some of our team in action.
Coaching Junior Football
One of our Consultants, Mark Kynaston is a coach for the Year 5 South Perth Stingrays football team. Mark enjoys teaching the kids the basic skills and creating a fun environment so that they enjoy it and come back.
Volunteering for patrols at Cottesloe Beach
Stephen Jones, one of our consultants, is driving the IRB here as water safety for the last Cottesloe Surf Lifesaving Club Swim of the 2018/19 season.
Stephen started volunteering on patrols when his kids started nippers more than 10 years ago, although the kids have moved on to other sports Stephen has continued to do the patrol roster for over the years at Cottesloe beach.
He tells us it’s great to see the millennials on the Patrol come down with so much enthusiasm, it really does give the older Patrol members motivation to come down and make the sessions enjoyable.
There are lots of lost kids during Sculptures by The Sea, blue bottle stings, kids blown out to sea on inflatable toys and tourists that can’t swim that keep them busy enough for a volunteering role.
Cancer Council Fundraising – Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
Smith Coffey management and staff were delighted to participate in the Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea on Thursday 25 June 2015. Terry Slavin, the WA Corporate Relations Research and Education Director for the Cancer Council was the guest speaker. Thanks to the generosity of the many local businesses who donated some fabulous prizes to the raffle and to the staff, we were able to raise over $2,500.
Our gratitude to the hard working “Tea Ladies” for organising the event and the wonderful effort of all the Smith Coffey team.
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