Alumni Magazine Issue 6

Fulbright Scholarship success Dr Siddhanth Sharma Bachelor of Medicine / Surgery Class of 2018 This year Dr Siddhanth Sharma was awarded a 2020 Fulbright Future Scholarship funded by The Kinghorn Foundation, and went on to pursue a Master of Public Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in the United States. The Fulbright Program is the largest educational exchange scholarship program in the world, operating in more than 160 countries and aimed at increasing the exchange of ideas, binational research collaboration and cultural understanding. “I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to study and learn from academics at the forefront of knowledge. America is home to some of the leading tertiary institutions in the field of public health, excelling in both creativity and scientific rigour. Being able to absorb material from world- renowned experts at these institutions is an extraordinary privilege that I hope will translate into tangible benefits for individuals across populations,” says Dr Sharma. Extending a comforting arm Lisa Cooke Bachelor of Nursing Class of 2006 As the press shared stories of toilet paper hoarding and COVID-19 outbreaks around the world in 2020, social media also showed snapshots of some people going above and beyond to support their local communities. Along with her colleagues, Registered Nurse and mother of two, Lisa Cooke, sparked a wave of community kindness in response to the coronavirus crisis with the Adopt a Healthcare Worker Facebook group. The page connects everyday people with healthcare workers to help with purchasing groceries, cleaning their house, dog walking or running errands. The WA community now has over 53,000 members, all pitching in to reduce the impact of COVID-19 by providing practical support. “This is a really important moment when we should reflect on how our communities can help vulnerable people. Now more than ever we need to support one another,” says Lisa. If you’re interested in adopting a healthcare worker, search for your relevant state or territory group on Facebook. Alumni on the move Alumni Magazine – Page 6