I'm Kate Sanderson

Growing up in Melbourne, my early childhood was peppered with happy memories of being surrounded by a loving extended family. My grandfather, who was a General Practitioner, was one of my greatest influences. His humble, caring nature and genuine love for his patients sparked my love for medicine and I adored visiting him at his practice, and not just because of the lolly jar he had on his desk! The happy memories continued when our family moved to Sydney where I enjoyed my early years of schooling at Beecroft primary school. A key life changing moment came in 2013 when we moved to the Gold Coast and I commenced Year 3 at Emmanuel College. Overcoming the expected challenges of joining a new school, I quickly made friends and was grateful for the many extracurricular and sporting activities on offer. I had the privilege to enjoy swimming squad, running club, dance, touch football, school plays, UNSW mathematics and science competitions, debating, and learning the cello and guitar. During this time, I represented the school regionally for high jump and received third place in cross county.

Born into an age of burgeoning technology, I was always an inquisitive child who developed a keen interest in the world around me. This evolved into a growing desire to pursue leadership, to be around leaders and to broaden my interest in scientific research. Through my continued efforts, I was honoured to be invited as a guest speaker for the 2019 global conference Social Media in Critical Care (SMACC), where I spoke to an international medical audience about the influences of social media on Generation Z, particularly its influence on women in medicine and the threat it poses to its users’ health. For me, this experience produced a growing passion to pursue a career in helping people and confirmed my interest in the medical field.

Alongside my school work, I joined the Surfers Paradise soccer club, Celtics basketball club, Newlife Youth Group and began teaching Sunday school for Kindy Kidz at Newlife Uniting Church. Befriending and supporting people with different abilities was a very rewarding and enlightening experience that led me to become a volunteer at Crossroads Disability Program. Volunteering at Crossroads has made me appreciate how those who are often marginalised bring so much value to our community. I volunteered at Crossroads thinking that it was me who had so much to offer but have found the reverse to be true.

To augment my growing passion for medicine, I began work at the Australian Institute of Ultrasound (AIU). It is a clinically focussed ultrasound training company that offers professional tuition to all point-of-care clinicians. Working in administration, volunteering as a simulated patient, being exposed to different medical specialties, both nationally and internationally, deepened my appreciation for the cut and thrust of health systems and the need to maintain integrity and character. Several trips to China visiting urban and rural hospitals was confronting, but strengthened my interest in other worldviews and cultures.

Throughout the pandemic I pursued my final years of schooling through distance education at The Australian Christian College, Moreton. I flourished in a remote learning environment and developed excellent time management, self discipline, organisational and goal setting skills. I pursued Units 3 & 4 Literature, English, Modern History and Latin, where I not only learnt the art of writing, but gained the appreciation of classic literature and the ability to provide a balanced view when confronted with opposing perspectives. Completing Units 3 & 4 in Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Chemistry and Physics reinforced my passion for evaluating, judging, and conversing about complex problems. Balancing my love of humanities with my love for science and mathematics has provided me with a broad education and range of skills that I believe will equip me to successfully complete University. Commencing work during my final year of school at the Walk in Emergency Specialist Clinic (WiSE) as a Patient Liaison Officer, where I am responsible for rostering clinical and administration staff senior to me, has not only confirmed for me that I wish to work as part of a medical team, but has also sharpened and developed my communication skills and ability to deal with stressful situations.