When support makes medicine possible

For Stephanie, the journey to studying medicine at the University of Newcastle didn’t follow a straight line. It began with lived experience, resilience, and a quiet decision to back herself, even when she wasn’t sure she could.

Stephanie left school at the end of Year 10 due to significant struggles with her mental health. With the support of a specialist school, she returned to education, completed Year 11, and then began working as a Disability Support Worker – a role that would shape her passion for helping others.

After leaving school, she continued working in disability support and developed what she describes as “a strong passion for supporting people to live meaningful lives.” University, however, still felt out of reach.

That began to change when she discovered Open Foundation.

Inspired by her brother’s success in the program, Stephanie enrolled but kept it to herself. As she explains, “I didn’t tell anyone in my life I was doing this, as I wasn’t sure I’d make it past the first few weeks.”

It wasn’t until partway through the semester that she began to share her news, gaining confidence in her abilities and academic skills. “I kept it to myself because I was unsure whether I would be able to manage university study and did not want to share it until I felt certain I could commit to it,” she shares.

“Open Foundation helped me realise that I was more academically capable than I had previously believed.”  
Stephanie developed academic skills, built confidence in her learning ability and proved to herself that she could succeed in higher education.

Just as important was the support around her. “For the first time in my life, I felt like I had people believing in my academic abilities and without their continuous support, I am not sure I would be where I am today.”

It was during Open Foundation orientation that Stephanie first learned about the Excellence through Equity (EtE) Pathway to Medicine, and suddenly, a long-held dream felt possible.

The EtE Pathway to Medicine was designed to support students who have experienced sustained educational disadvantage and are interested in pursuing a future in medicine.

“Prior to commencing Open Foundation, I had always dreamt of pursuing a career in medicine, but it seemed so out of reach,” she says. “After learning about the EtE pathway, I set myself a goal to achieve the entry marks required to apply to the Joint Medical Program through the EtE pathway.”

That goal is now her reality.

Now studying medicine through the Joint Medical Program, Stephanie credits the EtE Pathway with providing vital support. “The EtE pathway has provided support in a number of ways since commencing medicine,” she explains. “Academically, the team has assisted with tutoring support… Personally, they have provided ongoing encouragement, guidance, and reassurance… Financially, the pathway has helped reduce barriers to study.”

Also a recipient of the prestigious Ma & Morley Scholarship, Stephanie describes her experience as “life-changing”. Gaining both financial support and a strong sense of community, in addition to the EtE pathway, the scholarship has enabled her to focus on her studies while embracing opportunities that have broadened her outlook.

Despite the challenges of a demanding degree, Stephanie remains deeply motivated by her lived experience within the mental health system and her desire to “create impactful change by addressing systemic barriers to healthcare for our community.”

Looking back, it is the journey itself that leaves the biggest impression.

“From where I started, not thinking I would see much more of the future,” she reflects, “now building a life I never imagined possible through opportunities like studying medicine, whilst working towards creating positive change in my community and the healthcare field, that is what makes me go ‘wow’.”

For anyone considering the Excellence through Equity Pathway, Stephanie’s message is clear:

“I would strongly encourage anyone considering the pathway to pursue it. Beyond entry into medicine, the support offered throughout the process is invaluable. I would not hesitate to recommend the pathway to anyone considering applying.”

The pathway has created a strong support network that has helped me feel both capable and supported throughout my transition into medicine.