Student Highlights
Investing in improving Trauma Systems and Trauma Patient Management in Australia
Dr Nicol Alley is a current student in the Master of Traumatology at the University of Newcastle. Prior to her arrival in Australia, Nicol completed her studies from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
Upon completion, she spent six years of her career working in surgical specialties and retrieval medicine. By 2007, Nicol had also completed her Surgical Primary Examination.
When she immigrated to Australia in 2008, Nicol was initially employed as a Medical Officer in Emergency Medicine. Today, while studying her Master of Traumatology, she currently works as an Emergency Staff Specialist and Trauma Director for the Central Coast Local Health District.
Nicol chose to study at the University of Newcastle as she was able to find a good work-life balance through the flexibility that the Master of Traumatology offered.
“I currently work full-time and have a seven-year-old daughter who keeps me very busy. I have been studying part-time online and have found the structure of this program flexible and very easy to navigate.”
As part of her studies, Nicol has also been impressed by the interaction she has had with industry experts.
“Professor Zsolt Balogh has been an inspiration. His incredible work ethic and breadth of trauma knowledge has encouraged me to be the best clinician I can be.”
With a keen interest in the fields of Critical Care, Trauma and Surgery, she is enjoying the diverse subject areas that are covered as part of her degree at the University. She also wants to use the knowledge from her postgraduate studies toward the improvement of trauma care for patients and streamline trauma systems in Australia.
“As an Emergency Staff Specialist and Trauma Director, there is not a day that goes by that is not impacted by some aspect of trauma patient care. There are several teachings in this program that have supported or added to my clinical practice in the management or supervision of these patients’ care.”
Nicol is convinced that at the completion of this program she will have an enhanced knowledge of the field, that will allow her to also impart this knowledge to others in the industry.
“The sheer thought that by the end of this program my trauma knowledge will be enhanced is incredibly exciting for me.”
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Dr Nicol Alley
Nicol is a current postgrad student enrolled into the Master of Traumatology. Through her studies, Dr Nicol is acquiring expert knowledge in the fields of Critical Care, Trauma and Surgery. Upon completion, she also wishes to impart this knowledge to others in the industry.
The sheer thought that by the end of this program my trauma knowledge will be enhanced is incredibly exciting for me.
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