Interns Deborah Carrington and David Cukierman with Angliss Hospital general manager Natalie Sullivan, centre, are both nervous and excited about the year ahead. 26006
By Casey Neill
DAVID Cukierman and Deborah Carrington are among eight new interns at Angliss Hospital.
The Mail caught up with the pair on their first day in Upper Ferntree Gully.
They were understandably nervous about the year ahead.
“But it’s exciting,” Dr Cukierman said.
The 25-year-old wants to work in emergency medicine, while Dr Carrington, 24, plans to be a GP.
A computer matching system decided their internship locations.
Prospective interns rank their preferred hospitals, and hospitals do the same after poring over resumes and interviewing candidates.
Dr Cukierman couldn’t have asked for a better match, despite facing a long commute from his Caulfield home.
“This is honestly one of the best hospitals I’ve been to,” he said.
He worked at the Angliss previously as part of his course work.
“It was the best experience I had,” he said.
Dr Carrington, from Northcote, had never set foot in the Angliss but was enjoying her time there.
“Everyone’s been really friendly,” she said.
The eight interns have vowed to stick together.
“We’re gonna be a team,” Dr Cukierman said.
Angliss’s interns were among 508 new doctors who began work in public hospitals across the state this year, up from 461 last year.
AMA Victoria vice-president Harry Hemley said the increase was a much needed boost to the worsening medical workforce shortage in Victoria.
Doctors must complete an intern year at a public hospital after gaining their medical degree.
Interns can then undertake specialist training to become a physician, surgeon, general practitioner or psychiatrist.
