Iona alumna looks to inspire next generation of medical professionals
08 October 2024
A 2023 graduate from Iona Presentation College is looking to inspire the next generation of medical professionals with an essay competition for Year 10s and 11s.
Taylor Han, who now studies at the University of Edinburgh, is the founder of the Young Doctors’ Essay Competition. The competition looks to provide a platform designed to give students across WA the opportunity to explore their passion for medicine and connect with professionals in the field.
About her time at Iona, Taylor said:
“I was fortunate to learn from teachers like Mr. Hibble, who constantly challenged me to push the boundaries of what I thought was possible in the world of science and medicine. His encouragement and my experiences in subjects like Physics and the Cambridge Challenge Course were foundational to my curiosity about healthcare and the science behind it. He always made sure I didn’t just understand things but truly explored them.
I want them to have the same chance to explore their passion for medicine and realise that they too, are entitled to making a difference in healthcare.
Taylor Han, founder of the Young Doctors’ Essay Competition
“Teachers like Mrs. Neesham and Ms. Perera also influenced my journey, not only by fostering my intellectual curiosity but by teaching me to approach complex topics from multiple perspectives. They nurtured my ability to think critically and with empathy — both of which are essential for anyone entering the world of medicine. They also challenged me to enterprise and understand how important it is to look at everything from multiple perspectives—something that’s so necessary in medicine.”
Taylor added:
“The Young Doctors’ Essay Competition can also be considered a medium for me to share my learnings forward and give high school students in Western Australia an opportunity to dive into the world of medicine. I want them to have the same chance to explore their passion for medicine and realise that they too, are entitled to making a difference in healthcare.”
Students who take part in the Essay Competition can refine their critical thinking skills and contribute to the broader discourse on what it means to be a physician in the 21st century:
“Their essays will be evaluated by senior academics and healthcare professionals, and feedback on those essays will be given. For students who are passionate about healthcare, the Young Doctors Essay Competition is an excellent opportunity to show their passion for the sciences, as well as connect with healthcare professionals.”
Registration for this year’s competition opens on 1 November and runs until 31 December. More information can be found here.
