October 8, 2021The Northern Health Medical Education Unit (MEU) is pleased to announce that our junior doctor, Lucas Taranto, HMO2, won the prestigious 2021 ‘PMCV Junior Doctor of the Year’ award.
This award is granted to only one junior doctor across Victoria by the Postgraduate Medical Council Victoria (PMCV) for significant contribution to teaching and education.
When asked how he felt when he heard the news of winning the prestigious award, Lucas said, “I’m still in shock I think – it’s not something I had ever considered being able to win, but it’s an award I am so grateful for.”
Lucas Taranto is a Hospital Medical Officer (HMO) at Northern Health, with interests in medical education and pain medicine.
He has been involved in the teaching of medical students as a clinical tutor and lecturer through The University of Melbourne and Deakin University. His passion for education stems from a desire to better improve training for junior doctors and, in his role as Junior Medical Staff Association (JMSA) Education Officer, has been developing and implementing a new near-peer mentoring program.
“I am most proud of being involved in mentoring and teaching the current interns and medical students. I am passionate about education and have been so disappointed that many learning opportunities have been limited by COVID. It’s been so great to see the students enthusiasm as they begin to hit the wards again now,” Lucas said.
“Every day has been equally rewarding and challenging. Like everyone, I would not have guessed the last two years would have involved a pandemic, which has been a huge learning experience. Despite this, I have absolutely loved meeting and helping out the northern community in different ways,” Lucas explained.
Associate Professor Wanda Stelmach, Chief Medical Officer, said, “I was excited to hear that Lucas was voted PMCV JMO of the Year. This recognition of his engagement and support of his colleagues is reflected in his support of staff at Northern Health.”
“Additionally, my sources tell me that he is always willing to help out Medical Workforce Unit, which is really appreciated by the staff who frequently juggle the unenviable task of ensuring rosters are covered. Congratulations, Lucas – well deserved!” Wanda added.
Lucas has been involved in multiple research and audit processes to date to help improve hospital processes. Outside of medicine, he loves all things coffee and basketball.
In January 2021, Lucas assisted the Medical Education Unit with the planning, coordination and implementation of the face-to-face Intern Orientation Program. He also participated in the PMCV Symposium – The Great Debate as a panellist, discussing the impact of COVID-19 on the quality of supervision of JMS.
Lucas will be in the running to win the Confederation of Postgraduate Medical Education Council (CPMEC) award at the annual Australian and New Zealand Postgraduate Medical Education Council in November. We wish him the best of luck!
And his favourite thing about working at Northern Health?
“Has to be the people. I’ve worked with so many amazing colleagues and it’s been a pleasure to be part of such an incredible culture.”
