By Kirsty Ross
BEN NIND is one of more than 400 new doctors who stepped into the state’s workforce last week, but from the 44 who will work in the western suburb’s public hospitals, he is the only one who grew up locally.
The 25-year-old from Maribyrnong has all the great qualities of a great doctor: he is articulate, a hard worker and knows how to enjoy himself – even if that means starting sharing his quarter century birthday last Wednesday, with his first day on the job.
“It’s very exciting and a bit daunting at the same time,” Dr Nind told Star hours before his first day.
The Bulldogs supporter will spend the year sharing rounds with other new Western Health employees at their three hospitals in Footscray, Sunshine and Williamstown.
But first he’ll he posted at the Western Hospital in Footscray in the infectious diseases ward, before trying his hand at Sunshine’s emergency department.
And this young doctor couldn’t be more thrilled about being posted locally.
“It’s always good to put people back in the community where they’ve been involved,” he said.
“I like to give back.”
Dr Nind is not only a qualified doctor – he is also has a fantastic grasp of the law – having studied both areas at Monash University over the past seven years.
The keen traveller’s love for medicine was solidified when he took part in clinical rotations throughout the course, which paved the way for his destiny.
“I love interacting with people. I like helping people in a minor or major way. I love the reaction from patients when there’s good news, or even for bad news – they are so appreciative just to know what’s going on,” Dr Nind said.
“It’s a course or a field where you look back and you see you’ve done a lot of different things. It’s only the beginning – it’s a field where you never stop learning, or studying.”
Hardly one to keep his head in the books at all times, Dr Nind took the opportunity to experience life on other continents at every opportunity through the tough course.
He spent six weeks in Ireland as part of his course, working in the paediatric emergency system.
Then there was the seven weeks in Europe over Christmas in 2005, before most recently sneaking in three-weeks in Vietnam and Thailand this summer.
Dr Nind isn’t worried about the constant concerns of the doctor shortage – he has full faith in all his peers, and senior doctors and nurses.
Plus, he is confident that the number of new doctors is set to keep increasing.
Dr Nind is one of 445 new doctors from across Victoria to start their medical careers this year, which is a record for the state.
Western Health spokeswoman Anne Learmonth said the numbers were a slight increase on the intake last year.
“We need as many doctors as possible. Then hopefully at the end of the season they’ll come back to us,” Ms Learmonth said.
