Virtual Open House 2024
Couldn’t make it to our December 4th Virtual Open House? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
Explore recordings from our three engaging sessions designed for prospective U.S. medical students. Learn how the UQ-Ochsner MD program combines academic excellence in Brisbane, Australia, with hands-on clinical training in New Orleans to prepare future healthcare leaders. Dive into the admissions process with our Enrollment Team, and hear firsthand from students and alumni about their journeys through the program. Scroll down to watch the sessions and meet the student ambassadors who joined us for the event!
Follow your passion for medicine
Join Professor Ronald Amedee, Head of the UQ-Ochsner Clinical School and Dr Tamika Webb-Detiege, Deputy Head (Admissions and Enrollment) and discover how UQ and Ochsner have worked together to train future doctors driven to be global leaders in healthcare. From early patient contact in Brisbane, Australia to hands-on clinical practice in New Orleans.
Dot the I’s and Cross the T’s
Take a deep dive into the admission process with our Enrollment Team. They’ll take you through our entry requirements, application timeline and all you need to get your medical journey underway.
Don’t take our word for it, hear from our students
Hear from a panel of current students from all years of the program, as well as an Alumni. They’ll share their journey and experiences during the program. We’ll have year one students who’ve just spent their first year in Australia to fourth year students who have just graduated and are preparing to match in their chosen specialty.
Our ambassadors
Year of study: 1st year
Where are you from: New Orleans, Louisiana
Where did you do your undergraduate degree: Columbia University
Tell us about your journey to medical school
I got my Bachelors in neuroscience and always knew that I wanted to go into medicine, but I wanted to take a gap year to work before starting school again. I moved to New Orleans and worked as an International Admissions Officer at Tulane University. I learned about the UQ-Ochsner program at a Mardi Gras party and was sold. I didn’t apply to any other schools.
What do you like most about the program?
Living in Australia is like living in Disney World — the people are the nicest, everything is clean, and the nature is spectacular. It’s invaluable to be exposed to another health are system and learn with a diversity of students. I feel supported by UQ-Ochsner more than any other school I’ve been affiliated with; when you give feedback, they listened. We are also provided with most of the resources to be successful on our USMLE exams. I recommend the program to everyone!
What advice would you give students interested in the program?
Take the leap of faith! Once you’re in school, my biggest advice is to go to class and to be involved. The best thing I did in my first year was to join MedRevue, a musical that students write and perform.
Year of study: 4
Where are you from: Boston, Massachusetts
Where did you do your undergraduate degree: Colby College, Maine
Tell us about your journey to medical school
I graduated Colby College with a degree in Math and Economics with intention to teach math. However, my path took a turn when I had the opportunity to intern in hospitals in Bangkok and Vietnam. That experience ignited my passion for medicine and set me on a new career trajectory. I did not have the prerequisite science courses in college, so I went to graduate school at Boston University Medical School and spent several years conducting research at Boston Children's Hospital. I love Australia and decided to apply exclusively to UQ-Ochsner Medical, where I am excited to combine my medical education with a global perspective in healthcare.
What do you like most about the program?
What I love most about the University of Queensland's medical program is its global perspective. I have learned that in healthcare, there is no “one way.” Exposure to the diversity in healthcare systems and practices worldwide has given me a broad understanding of healthcare and health literacy. I embrace the importance of cultural differences, and in practice, competence reflects this understanding. This program prepares me for residency in the U.S. It equips me with the skills to practice medicine globally, adapt to various healthcare environments, and address health challenges across diverse cultures.
What advice would you give students interested in the program?
You are all intelligent individuals with career options. Medicine is one of the most demanding, but I would argue, the most rewarding career you can pursue. Spending part of medical school on a different continent may seem daunting, but it offers a unique opportunity to experience the world in a way that will broaden your perspective. You will form deep connections with classmates and future colleagues, creating a close-knit community. Returning to New Orleans, you will be better prepared to practice medicine and embrace the joys of a fresh start with a supportive network already in place.
Year of study: 4
Where are you from: Chicago, Illinois
Where did you do your undergraduate degree: Northwestern University
Tell us about your journey to medical school
Ever since I was a little girl, I had always wanted to be a doctor because of my dad. He is an internal medicine physician - and my greatest role model and inspiration! After shadowing, volunteering at the children's hospital, and getting involved in research during undergrad, I had a better understanding of what a career in medicine might actually be like and realized it would be a great fit for me.
What do you like most about the program?
I like this program because it allowed me personal growth while still advancing my career in medicine. Depending on when you start, medical training will likely make up a big portion of your 20s, which is also a time that can be so formative in a young adult's life. Moving across the world forced me to become more confident and self-reliant. It exposed me to new hobbies, new people, and a different way of living. I think that is unique to UQO and also invaluable.
What advice would you give students interested in the program?
I believe that what is meant for you will not pass you by. I remember when I was applying to medical school, things felt stressful and uncertain. But looking back on how life has unfolded these past few years, I’m so grateful for all of it. All you can do is your best and the rest will fall into place!
Year of study: 1st year
Where are you from: Tucson, Arizona
Where did you do your undergraduate degree: Grinnell College (Iowa)
Tell us about your journey to medical school
I had always wanted to be a doctor but got sidetracked during undergrad exploring my school's open curriculum and all of the classes available to me other than the pesky premed requisites. Ultimately, took a couple years after graduating to complete them but I have never regretted it because the opportunity to explore only made me more invested in what I've truly been called to since childhood.
What do you like most about the program?
After solidifying my goal for medical school during sophomore year of college, I set my sights on Ochsner and never looked anywhere else. The opportunity to globalize my education at a world-renowned school like UQ was too appealing to pass up. The care for the institution exuded by the faculty has been apparent from the very beginning of my communications with administrators like Sue during the application process to the professors directing our course-load throughout the 1st year. Their ability to connect to the medical students on a personal level has made the entire experience incredibly empowering in what would otherwise be considered too monumental a task to navigate alone.
What advice would you give students interested in the program?
It's critical to ask questions but you'll never be fully comfortable before taking the leap of faith. I can say with confidence that you will be supported with all the tools necessary as you hit the ground running to become a well-rounded physician.
Year of study: 4th year
Where are you from: Grenada, MS
Where did you do your undergraduate degree: Mississippi College
Tell us about your journey to medical school
Finished up undergrad needing a break from Mississippi and wanted to get as far away as possible. Stumbled upon UQ-Ochsner and figured Australia was pretty far, so I went for it.
What do you like most about the program?
The opportunity to travel and study in another country. Australia is awesome and a really fun place to live.
What advice would you give students interested in the program?
Definitely go for it. It’s a great program, and you’ll have a blast. Being across the world in a high stress environment really bonds you with your classmates, and we have a great match rate in many different specialties.
Year of study: 4th (incoming)
Where are you from: West Palm Beach, FL
Where did you do your undergraduate degree: Washington University in St. Louis
Tell us about your journey to medical school
I've always had a diverse mix of interests. I majored in French and Economics as an undergraduate student, while being a Pre-Med. I wasn't interested in limiting myself to just studying sciences. I'm too curious of a person, and that option would have left me bored. I think this mentality is what made the UQ-Ochsner MD program such a good fit.
What do you like most about the program?
It's hard to really describe how amazing it is to live and study in Australia with brilliant students from around the world, and then to return to New Orleans to continue training at one of the most esteemed medical institutions in the United States. Although my first two years of medical school were in Australia, I was absolutely well-prepared to pass my Step 1 exam and actively contribute to patient care during my 3rd year clinical rotations in New Orleans.
What advice would you give students interested in the program?
Take this leap of faith. I was not even interested in applying to US medical schools after my undergraduate years because I knew I needed to satisfy my many interests with adventure and self-discovery, all while growing as a professional and a scholar. UQ is a world-class institution, no doubt. Our program's match rate into US residencies year after year is only further proof of the quality of this training. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Year of study: 4th year
Where are you from: Los Angeles, California
Where did you do your undergraduate degree: University of California, San Diego
Tell us about your journey to medical school
I didn't decide to pursue medicine until my last year of college, when most of my friends being premed finally rubbed off on me. I took three gap years to work and figure out what I wanted to do, then decided on UQ Ochsner in the peak of COVID. Starting school completely online was a challenge, but I am truly grateful to be where I am and for all the opportunities this program has given me.
What do you like most about the program?
Living in a completely new country allowed me to further my professional aspirations, immerse myself in new cultures, develop as a citizen of the world, and create memories that you can only get with such a unique worldwide experience. On top of that, the clinical education at Ochsner has been excellent; so many attendings and residents are passionate about teaching and are truly engaged in your development as an aspiring physician.
What advice would you give students interested in the program?
Put yourself out there and talk to as many people in your program as you can, domestic or international. Go to class with an open mind and willingness to learn. Stay on top of your studies but save time to enjoy the Australian and New Orleans life. Be ready to have all kinds of experiences you won't be able to have doing anything else!
Year of study: MS3 (rising MS4)
Where are you from: San Jose, CA
Where did you do your undergraduate degree: UC San Diego
Tell us about your journey to medical school
After graduating from UCSD in 2018, I completed a Master's in Biomedical Imaging at UCSF. Then, I worked in research at UCSF in musculoskeletal imaging. I was working on my application for MD and DO schools when I stumbled upon this program and it really interested me. Based on what I saw , I knew I would fit well in the program and took the chance.
What do you like most about the program?
The program helps you create two communities that you can grow with across your 4 years of medical school. In the first 2 years, I met fellow Ochsner students, but also Australian and International students. Even after coming to Ochsner to start 3rd year, I still kept in contact with many of my friends who I will see on return placement. Upon arriving in New Orleans, I made another community within our Ochsner classes who included some of my friends from years 1 and 2 and many others I did not meet during my time in Australia.
What advice would you give students interested in the program?
I think this program is about pushing your own boundaries, and there is a lot of room for personal growth. Living in two different places during medical school—arguably some of the hardest years of education—provides many experiences that will help you grow. Be open to new adventures, and know that there are plenty of others alongside you who want to support you, both when you're doing great and when you're struggling.