Medicine students enlightened by theological concepts of health care

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Fall 13-4-2011

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle Campus

Publication Place

Fremantle

Abstract

Being professional, collaborative and Catholic in the medical field was a key focus of speakers from St John of God Health Care Services when they visited medicine students at The University of Notre Dame Australia’s (UNDA) Fremantle Campus.

Former UNDA Chancellor, Dr Michael Quinlan, St John of God Medical Services and Strategy Group Director, Dr Lachlan Henderson, Southern Cross Care (WA) Deputy Chair, Ms Jennifer Stratton, and Sister Eugenia Brennan, also from St John of God, all spoke at the Theology Symposium conducted by Med 100 Theology Course Coordinator Father Stephen Astill.

Fr Stephen referred students to the twelve theological concepts that the Med 100 Theology course is based, which were also touched on by the guest speakers.

Some of the concepts include; Human Relationships, The Role of Spirituality in Patient-Centred Care, Respect of other Persons/Cultures and Salvation, which provide students with a vital teaching and research understanding within a context of Catholic faith and values.

According to Sr Eugenia, who completed her Doctoral Thesis on the origins and history of the Sisters of St John of God, all people must have access to and be provided with the best possible Gospel-based health care.

“Being involved in health care, we must have an integration of professional competence, a wide collaboration with all streams of society and that we are unequivocally at Catholic organisation,” Sr Eugenia said.

“The very demanding task it is to be a doctor means that each student needs to have a plan for their own holistic personal and spiritual development so that they can live life to the full.

“The students got an insight into the fact that there is a Catholic organisation that is extremely competent in its delivery of health care in Western Australia and that the whole wonder and beauty of health care in Australia is collaborative.”

Student, Sean Scott, said the class was enlightened by the St John of God speakers on ways in which the organisation was formed and conducted.

“I found the most interesting aspect of the symposium was how this private company balances between satisfying their shareholders, yet works within the bottom line of service provision and community development,” Mr Scott said.

Media Contact: Leigh Dawson (+61) 8 9433 0569, Mob (+61) 0405 441 093

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