Dr Revathy Carnagarin

Describe your current role and career path to date.

I am a clinician scientist and medical officer at Geraldton Regional Hospital. I was born and raised in India and completed my undergraduate and masters degrees at Indian universities. I hold an MBBS from Pondicherry University, MS (By Research) in Molecular Biology from Anna University, MD (Biochemistry) from Bharath University, and a PhD in Endocrinology from Curtin University. My goal has always been to become a doctor because I want to positively influence the world around me. My teachers recognised in me the essential characteristics of a good researcher and clinical teacher - diligence combined with intelligence. They encouraged me to pursue the field of medical teaching and research. I started my MBBS with a government scholarship and during my first and second year of medical school I took a deep interest in disease mechanisms. This fired a strong interest in medical research. I later completed my clinical research training at the Harvard Medical School and joined the Dobney Hypertension Centre - Royal Perth Hospital Unit, School of Medicine UWA, as a post-doctoral clinical research fellow in 2017. I believe there is a greater potential benefit to mankind by being a dedicated medical researcher and a teacher than by being a physician alone.

What do you like best about working in Geraldton?

I enjoy working in the Geraldton community because it reminds me of my hometown in India - Pondicherry. I enjoy the variety of patients I see, the time spent with them and their families, the kindness of the Geraldton community, and the complete satisfaction of servicing this community.

How will the Fellowship help advance your education?

I have come to appreciate that a career in clinical teaching and research is one of the basic keys to propagating knowledge and achieving good public health outcomes. Receiving the Newnham Fellowship to pursue a Masters in Health Professions Education will allow me to learn from innovative minds and grow my teaching skills.

What are your plans beyond completing your Masters?

I have applied to the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) to become a rural generalist with academic practice as my advance specialisation. There is a dire need for good clinical teachers and researchers, especially in regional Australia, both to undertake research and to train the next generation in this vital discipline. I want to be one of those who makes a difference in this field. It is my initial goal to acquire the higher-level skills and knowledge to become an excellent teacher and ultimately to take up a lead position in a clinical organisation whilst teaching my peers.

Photo: Dr Revathy Carnagarin