Overview: The Manali Medical Aid Project is run each year by two or three first year UQ medical students, who undertake a medical elective (of at least four weeks) at the Lady Willingdon Hospital at the conclusion of the year. These students are ultimately responsible for all aspects of the project for the year, after which they choose a fresh set of eager students to reinvigorate and continue the mission. We are, of course, indebted to our affiliates, who continue to support us in various administrative areas of the project.
Details of the past and present project managers are given below:
For contact information, see the Contact Uspage
The 2011 project managers
Alison Fraenkel graduated from St Peters Lutheran College in 2006 and completed a QUT Bachelor of Biomedical Science in 2010 as the Dux of the course. Concurrent to her medical studies she is an employee at the Brisbane Eye Clinic. She has travelled widely throughout a number of developing countries, which has given her a heightened awareness of the global inequalities in health care. She eagerly anticipates the trip to Manali as a chance to become involved in an international and underprivileged community in a medical capacity.
Michael Lonne graduated from Indooroopilly State High School in 2005. He completed a Bachelor of Sciences majoring in Biological Chemistry at UQ and entered the university’s medical program this year. Having witnessed personally the social inequalities that plague places like Manali during his travels throughout India and Nepal in 2009, Michael is eager to return and lend a helping hand within the community.
Mikaela Fein grew up in New York and graduated from University of Vermont in 2008 where she studied biology and anthropology, After working as a researcher for a year at Massachusetts General Hospital, she moved to Brisbane to undertake her Masters in International Public Health at UQ. In 2011, she began studying medicine at UQ and is excited to leave the classroom and gain some first hand experience in global health.
The 2010 project managers
Tacita Powell is a first-year medical student at the University of Queensland, after having completed her undergraduate Bachelor of Biomedical Science in 2009 at UQ. Tacita has worked as tutor in human biology and volunteers her time to cultural events such as the Brisbane Writers’ Festival. She has keen interest in peace and conflict studies having undertaken a minor in this area in her undergraduate degree. She graduated from Trinity Catholic College, Lismore in 2005.
Mary-Clair Yelovich began her first year of medical school at the University of Queensland in January of this year. She is originally from Canada, where she completed an Honours degree in Biochemistry and a Masters in Philosophy, with a particular focus on the Philosophy of Medicine.
Dominic Stanton graduated from St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe in 2007, where he was College Captain. He completed an accelerated Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Queensland before beginning his first year of Medicine in 2010, where is a current member of the Med Rugby team. After a previous travelling in India he is eager to return and is passionate about supporting the Manali community.
The 2009 project managers
Arthur Cheung graduated Dux of Scots College (Wellington) in 2006, where he was also Captain of Lifesaving and Head of Music. In 2007, he began his studies at UQ, where he has tutored chemistry and human biology courses. He majored in Biomedical Science as an undergraduate (also undertaking a research project in influenza diagnostics), and began the medical component of his BSc/MBBS dual degree in 2009. He is currently a resident at St John’s College (UQ), where he is the College Proctor and convenes a number of cultural activities. Arthur has recently begun first aid volunteering with St John Ambulance Australia. A strong belief in the cause for international medical equality drives Arthur’s passion for the Manali Medical Aid Project.
Benjamin Treffene began studying medicine at the University of Queensland in 2009. He graduated from St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace in 2006. He passionately partakes in a wide range of cultural and physical endeavours. Last year, Ben worked as tutor for biology and chemistry courses at UQ, and has also worked in assorted office jobs and at a bike store, adjudicated with the Queensland Debating Union, and volunteered with St John Ambulance and the Terrace Night Van.
The 2008 project managers
Tegan Draheim graduated from Ipswich Girls’ Grammar in 2004, and completed a Bachelor of Science at UQ majoring in Biomedical Science in 2007. She began Medicine at UQ in 2008, while working part-time for Heart Care Partners, a Brisbane cardiology practice.
Matthew Torbey graduated from St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace in 2004 where he was the college vice-captain. He completed a Bachelor of Science at UQ in 2007. Matthew began Medicine at the University of Queensland in 2008, while working at the Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.
Eric Douglas graduated from St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace in 2004. He completed a Bachelor of Science at UQ in 2007 and began Medicine at the University of Queensland in 2008. While studying at university, Eric pursued numerous volunteer jobs and projects, focussing in elderly and CALD health care.
The 2007 project founders and managers
James English studied Science with a focus on Anatomy/Physiology, followed by studies in IT. James worked for a number of years as a Web Consultant based throughout Europe and the USA. Travelling through Central and South America, James experienced first-hand the effects of poverty on communities and their health, particularly in Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba and Bolivia. The lasting impression that these experiences left on him have made supporting communities such as Manali a personal priority.
Juergen Landmann completed a Science degree and worked in Australia and the USA in forensic biology as well as human and animal health, with a special interest in parasitology. Parasites are a major cause of illness and death in many countries, and can be prevented with a basic level of healthcare. Even so, parasites are only a small component of the health issues facing the underprivileged around the world – Juergen’s passion for assisting Lady Willingdon Hospital and establishing the Manali Medical Aid Project stemmed from these issues.
About the Manali Medical Aid Project
- What does Lady Willingdon Hospital do?
- So why does the Hospital need help?
- How does the Manali Medical Aid Project provide this help?
- Who runs the Manali Medical Aid Project?
- How can I contribute to the project?
- Where can I get more information?
