Students sponsored into health
More than 20 high performing secondary schoolers will rub shoulders with top medical students and health professionals
at the medical industry’s annual conference later this month.
The Year 13 students from schools across the central North Island (attached to this email) will attend the annual New
Zealand Medical Students’ Association conference “Catalyst for Change” in Rotorua on 18 – 20 May.
Their attendance is being made possible through sponsorship from Te Pou, the national centre of mental health, addiction
and disability workforce development, and Kia Ora Hauora, a national Maori health workforce programme.
The sponsorship will give students who have shown aptitude in science and maths a practical introduction and exposure to
a career in the health sector. It covers the cost of the students’ transportation and conference fees.
Te Pou’s chief executive Robyn Shearer said choosing a medical career was a big decision involving six years of medical
school, two years as a house officer, and potentially another minimum of five years training in a specialist area. She
added that it was important for young people to understand the big picture.
“Young people are the future health workforce, and Te Pou and Kia Ora Hauora are working in our own specialist areas to
build a sustainable, high quality and diverse workforce We want to ensure we get young people excited about potential
career opportunities in mental health and this was a great way to do it” Ms Shearer said.
This year’s conference aims to unite the medical profession towards becoming the instruments of change. It features
internationally and nationally-renowned medical practitioners, social events and networking opportunities.
A total of 240 medical students from New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific will attend the conference.
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