A Bachelor of Biomedical Science from USC has helped deliver Tyson Pardon of Tinbeerwah into the maternity ward of a South African hospital on his journey to becoming a doctor.

The 2013 USC graduate has gone on to study a Doctor of Medicine at Griffith University at the Gold Coast and recently completed a clinical placement at the busy Mowbray Maternity Hospital in Cape Town.

“My highlight so far has been a clinic that I was able to attend in a township called Gugulethu,” Tyson said. “I loved this because we were able to assist patients who are too poor to travel to hospital to have their babies.

“Every caesarean I have been able to assist in has also been amazing, particularly the twin deliveries, and managing postnatal complications has also been very interesting. The ladies are always incredibly grateful and lovely to deal with, which has made the experience such a joy.”

The Bachelor of Biomedical Science is one pathway available at USC to those who want to study medicine. Another was introduced this year in the form of a Bachelor of Medical Science, which has provisional direct entry into Griffith University’s Doctor of Medicine.

“Biomedical Science set me up well for my medical degree and the transition was easy in terms of getting back to study,” Tyson said.

“I enjoyed how flexible it was because it allowed me to work part time while I studied.”

Tyson, 29, said his decision to start studying at USC occurred five years after he finished school at Noosa District State High School.

“I did some hotel work, mining exploration and excavating work. I decided that I really wanted a job that was focused on helping people,” he said. “I had always enjoyed science, so decided that was a good starting point and it was later, during my biomedical degree, that I decided to carry on to study medicine.”

Tyson plans to pursue the rural generalist pathway and follow up with subspecialties in obstetrics and gynaecology.

“For the next year I am based at Gympie Hospital, with one block of ophthalmology at Caloundra. When I apply for my intern options, Sunshine Coast University Hospital will be one of my preferences.”

Medical work seems to run in Tyson’s family, with two of his siblings employed as nurses. Also, his father-in-law is a doctor.

- Janelle Kirkland