Assan Sam to be awarded posthumous medicine degree by JCU
A touching gesture has been extended to an aspiring Cairns doctor after the celebrated young medical student tragically lost his life in a motorbike crash last month.
A touching gesture has been extended to an aspiring Cairns doctor after the celebrated young medical student tragically lost his life in a motorbike crash last month.
James Cook University student Assan Sam has been remembered by family and colleagues as an inspiring role model known for his support of Indigenous youths.
Celebrated for a passionate desire to give back to his community, Mr Sam was a graduate of the Cape York Partnerships’ leaders program and was known for being gifted, both athletically and academically.
The 29-year old died after his GSX-R 750 motorbike collided with an SUV on the Gillies Range Rd.
Mr Sam was a proud Bwgcolman man from Palm Island studying in his final year of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree.
His passing on September 28 has been a tragic loss for his family, the Palm Island community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities extending all the way to the Torres Straits and at the same time robbing the community of a role model and a young man heading towards a meaningful and inspirational health career.
“The loss of any young person is awful, but especially cruel given the commitment and motivation Assan has shown to his studies and to supporting and mentoring other Indigenous young people,” a JCU spokesman said.
“Our thoughts are with Assan’s family and community observing sorry business as they come to terms with this loss – his mother, Toshiba Prior, his father and stepmother, Assan (Senior) and Tammy Sam and his grandmother, Sophie Sam.”
Now, Professor Sarah Larkins as dean of the JCU College of Medicine and Dentistry has signed off on the posthumous awarding of Mr Sam’s degree so he can be buried with the honorific “Dr” in front of his name.
JCU stated Mr Sam had met the requirements for the posthumous awarding of his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree.
A funeral date for Mr Sam has not yet been finalised.
Originally published as Assan Sam to be awarded posthumous medicine degree by JCU
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