The University of Notre Dame Australia is excited to celebrate Letisha Carozza being awarded the AMA (WA) Gold Medal Prize for the Best Student in Year 4 at the School of Medicine.
The award, presented by AMA (WA) President Dr Kyle Hoath, recognised Letisha’s exceptional academic performance and dedication to her medical studies.
“I feel incredibly honoured to have won the AMA (WA) Gold Medal Prize,” Letisha said.
“It was a really affirming moment, particularly because medicine can be such a long and demanding journey and you don’t often stop to reflect on how far you’ve come.”
Letisha’s journey to medicine began in allied health, where she first discovered her passion for clinical work.
“My background is in physiotherapy and I thoroughly enjoyed being a diagnostician, developing therapeutic relationships with patients, advocating for them and working in a multidisciplinary team,” she said.
“But I recognised I was looking for a career with greater progression and diversity, as well as the opportunity to gain more knowledge and provide more management options for patients. The innovation, continued learning, clinical decision making and opportunities for advocacy in medicine really appealed to me.”
She said the award feels especially meaningful because of how far she has come since entering university.
“Thinking back to when I first began my journey at university, an 18-year-old me would never have imagined making it through medical school, let alone achieving an award,” she said.
“It means a great deal because it represents the support, mentorship and encouragement I’ve received along the way from my family, peers and teachers, for which I am forever grateful. “Professionally, it is a reminder of the responsibility that comes with being recognised in this way to continue striving for excellence, to practise with integrity and compassion, and to contribute meaningfully to the profession. It motivates me to keep learning, to advocate for patients, and to uphold the values of medicine throughout my career."
While still exploring her future specialty, she said several areas had captured her interest.
Her clinical experiences played a significant role in shaping these interests, including her paediatric placement at Fiona Stanley Hospital and her neurology elective, both of which she described as highly rewarding.
Media Contact: media@nd.edu.au