Bundaberg students join CQU Regional Medical Pathway program

A group of medical students have joined CQU’s Regional Medical Pathway program. Bundaberg’s newest trainee doctor tells how he is overcoming all obstacles to give back to his local community.

Bundaberg local Christian Lane-Krebs is ‘excited’ to be on the path to giving back to the local community.

Christian Lane-Krebs has spent his whole life preparing for his medical career.

Due to near-fatal complications with his birth at Bundaberg Hospital, Christian was flown to Brisbane by the Royal Flying Doctor Service for specialist treatment when he was just two years old.

After he was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy at four years of age, Christian and his parents would regularly travel from his home in Bargara to Brisbane by train to attend medical appointments.

The impact of the time and expense of travelling to receive medical care would be familiar to anyone living in regional communities.

“Although it’s only a half an hour appointment, if the train only runs twice a day, or sometimes once a day - if your appointments at the wrong time, then it’s a two-day trip,’ said Mr Lane-Krebs.

“So there’s definitely a large impact on all areas of your life.”

Bundaberg local Christian Lane-Krebs “can’t wait” to begin the Regional Medical Pathway.

Despite the challenges of living with a disability, the experience of receiving expert care from skilled professionals such as Dr Judy Williams at Bundaberg Hospital awoke a passion in Mr Lane-Krebs to become a doctor himself.

Dr Williams resuscitated Mr Lane-Krebs when he flatlined at birth.

“She showed me the influence that medical practitioners can have on someone‘s life - and that just cemented it,” said Mr Lane-Krebs.

“Once I grew up enough to understand what she did for me, that defined the rest of my life.”

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After graduating last year from Kepnock High School as school captain and one of the top students in his class, Mr Lane-Krebs is now on the verge of realising his dream of giving back to the local community that has given him so much.

Mr Lane-Krebs is one of the 34 students welcomed to Central Queensland University’s Regional Medical Pathway (RMP) on Thursday, March 3.

Part of CQU’s Bachelor of Medical Science degree, the RMP sends doctors-in-training on placements within the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service and community health services including pharmacies, aged care facilities and physiotherapists.

“The RMP program has evolved into a wonderful community of educators, mentors, clinicians, and advocates committed to improving regional, rural, and remote health outcomes,” CQU Head of Course Associate Professor Sonia Saluja said.

“The placement opportunities provide students with an immersive observational learning experience, where they gain an understanding of the bigger picture of health care delivery within regional communities.”

Bundaberg locals Christian Lane-Krebs and Hannah Earl receive training from Varun Lad, president of the CQU Medical Society.

Graduates from the three-year Bachelor of Medical Science will go on to University of Queensland’s four-year Doctor of Medicine program, delivered in Bundaberg at the Rural Clinical School in Bundaberg Hospital.

A CQU spokesperson said the aim of the regionally-based program is to producing doctors who are far more likely to stay and work in rural and regional Queensland.

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Mr. Lane-Krebs says the program is an ideal pathway for providing opportunities for talented students in the regions.

“Showing the talent and the academic abilities of the rural kids in Bundaberg to be able to be educated here completely, and then remain here and treat the community that they are wanting to give back to - that‘s the big thing in my case,” said Mr Lane-Krebs.

“Because so many people from the Bundaberg region have helped to build me up and have been massive influences into who I have become as a whole person.”

Christian Lane-Krebs, Varun Lad, Hannah Earl and CQU Associate Vice-President Luke Sinclair.

In a wonderful twist of fate, one of his greatest influences, Dr Judy Williams, is still working at Bundaberg Hospital and likely to cross paths with Mr Lane-Krebs through the course of his studies.

After a lifelong preparation, Mr Lane-Krebs can’t wait to take the next steps towards realising his dream of becoming a doctor serving the Bundaberg community.

“I was a public school kid from regional Australia with a disability and with all odds stacked against me. And it’s turned into this amazing journey that I can’t wait to go on.”