Not everyone identifies their career passion early in life.

Year 12 student, Grace O’Sullivan, has known since she was in Year 7 that medicine was the path she wanted.

But how can you know what medicine really involves? What is the pathway? How hard is it to get in? Where can you find the answers to these and other critical questions?

Kait Kelly, Grace’s Allied Health teacher, nominated Grace for the Future Doctors Australia program.

Set up by the National Institute of Education, this four-day immersion in the world of medicine, answers all these questions and gives students so much more.

The program runs for a jam-packed, well-organised four days, and a number of courses are held each year in five capital cities.

However, it’s quite expensive and Grace was supported to attend the April 2026 course held in Melbourne through BSSC’s generosity in paying part of the costs.

The Quest Hotel where the event was held, also offered students discounted accommodation.

Prerequisite exams such as the UCAT—University Clinical Aptitude Test, and GAMSAT—Graduate Medical School Admissions Test, were explained and mock exams brought valuable practice.

Grace also met inspiring medicos who shared from their wealth of experience in specialty areas such as General Medicine, Nephrology (kidneys), Cardiothoracic surgery (heart), and Respiratory Medicine (lungs).

Using simulated dummy patients she performed a bronchoscopy (passing a tube via the trachea to look into the lungs), took blood from an artificial vein, and sutured pretend wounds—and all participants were given a practice suturing kit to take home.

The importance of patient-doctor communication was highlighted.

“Healthcare workers have the responsibility to hold patient’s lives in their hands and be agile with their care and words—one thoughtless act or comment can impact a person for the rest of their lives.”

Did I mention Grace also made wonderful new friends at FDA? She looks forward to studying alongside them at uni.

Over time Grace has clarified that surgery will be her focus, and specifically, she aspires to be a cardio-thoracic surgeon.

“I know already that medicine is physically, mentally and emotionally challenging, and becoming a woman in the world of surgery is a challenge—and a long road. But if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life,” Grace says.

She has taken every opportunity to prepare for her future, including work experience at both Castlemaine and Bendigo Health.

At BSSC, Allied Health has set her up brilliantly to follow this path.

Acutely aware of the poor health services many remote communities endure, Grace hopes to one day work with those ensuring the genuinely equitable distribution of healthcare across this country.

She says we need to change how we do health for our First Nations Peoples.

“For example, rheumatic heart disease, which usually affects children and young adults, can be lethal. Yet it basically begins with a throat or skin infection that, in the absence of early medical intervention, healthy food and good living conditions, can progress to permanently damage the heart.

“Eradicating this disease which is widespread in First Nations communities would be something I dream of being part of.”

If you are thinking about medicine Grace is happy to chat with you about her experience of FDA.

There are FDA programs coming up in Melbourne in September 2026 (only two spots left). Otherwise, programs will run in January 2027 and April 2027 that still have numerous spaces.

Grace brought home one of two gifts given to those who truly aced this program.

Congratulations Grace!