Ingham Health Service school-based trainee Queensland Training Awards finalist

An Ingham Health Service school-based trainee has been named a finalist for the Queensland Training Awards.

Ingham Health Service’s Deadly Start trainee Sophie Johnson has stood out against 750 applicants to be named as a finalist for the Queensland Training Awards. The Gilroy Santa Maria College student, 17, is one of three people in the running for the north Queensland region School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award. Picture: Supplied

An Ingham Health Service school-based trainee has been named a finalist for the Queensland Training Awards.

Gilroy Santa Maria College student Sophie Johnson, 17, is one of just three people to make the finals out of a total of 750 applicants.

What is even more remarkable is that Ms Johnson is the health service’s first school-based trainee to enrol in the Deadly Start program, an initiative to help young First Nations year 11 and 12 school students gain experience and certification for careers in healthcare.

“It has helped me to define what I want to do when I leave school, and that is work in healthcare and help out my community,” she said.

“As part of the program I have also got to work across all areas of the health service, which has given me a great understanding of the complexities and interconnectedness of healthcare.”

She is in the final few months of the program and said she had enjoyed the experience.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) operated Ingham Hospital. Picture: Cameron Bates

Senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker Diana Friday said Sophie was a favourite among the many staff that had worked with her.

“Sophie has thrived in the healthcare environment and has shown a real passion for helping people and becoming an emerging leader in the community.”

She said that as part of the traineeship, she worked one day a week.

“However on school holidays she is always asking to work more,” she said.

“Sophie has been a great role model for other people in the community and her deep connection to her community has not only shone through in how she has interacted with patients but also her involvement with Vinnies Youth and her efforts in organising yarning circles.

The North Queensland region winners will be announced in July, with those winners to compete for the Queensland award in September.

Originally published as Ingham Health Service school-based trainee Queensland Training Awards finalist