A junior medical officer at Mackay Base Hospital has proven she’s top of the class taking out a number of awards for outstanding achievement at The University of Queensland – UQ
Dr Liana Dedina received the Australian Medical Association Memorial Prize for the highest GPA in years 3 and 4 of the medical program, the Lilian Cooper Prize for the highest overall achievement in the four years of the MBBS program and the University Medal, which is awarded to UQ graduates who achieve outstanding academic results for the duration of their program.
“It is very exciting and humbling to receive these awards but it hasn’t quite sunk in yet as I haven’t attended the ceremony,” Dr Dedina said.
“I have always looked at education as something I do for myself and for my own learning, curiosity and interest, not anticipating external awards. As such these awards came as a pleasant surprise.”
Liana has her grandmother to thank for being one of the most significant influences in her life. It was her grandmother’s imprint that led her to follow in the same footsteps in becoming a doctor.
Trained in Kiev Medical School Liana’s grandmother graduated at an early age with a degree in medicine and sub-specialty dentistry.
“I always looked up to my grandmother, who at the age of 22 was the only practising doctor and dentist in a remote region of the USSR, now known as Moldova,” she said.
“She taught me the importance of knowledge, skills and responsibility. As such, I feel these awards are as much hers as they are mine.”
Looking through photos of her grandmother Liana tells the story of a woman who left her career to dedicate her life to raising her granddaughter.
“When I started first grade she quit her job in the city and decided to devote her time to raising me,” she said.
“She’d take me to and from school every day up until the age of 14, which was great.
“We’d come home and we’d always do homework and read together. In the summers we’d always go ahead of the curriculum so when the year started I knew everything. She always got me prepared for the year ahead.”
Liana’s grandmother had a passion for medicine and caring for others, which she has passed onto her granddaughter.
“Meeting new people and listening to their stories is what I love most about being a doctor,” she said.
“No person is the same, and their experiences and lives are as varied as the colours of the visual spectrum.”
More Information
Danielle Jesser, Media and Communications Manager
mhhs-comms@health.qld.gov.au
Phone 0417 756 221
