Thanks to the generosity of Uncle Bob’s Club (UBC) and their supporters, aspiring paediatric neurologists can receive the best training to care for Victoria’s sickest children at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH). Meet some of the past UBC General Neurology Fellows and learn about how philanthropy helps develop the brightest medical minds.
Dr Ian Woodcock – 2015 and 2018 Fellow
Dr Ian Woodcock was appointed the UBC General Neurology Fellow in 2015 and 2018.
When did you realise you had an interest in neurology?
When I was a Senior House Officer (resident equivalent) in paediatrics in the UK in 2008 I worked in paediatric neurology. I have had an interest in neurology ever since.
How did the UBC fellowship help you in your career?
I was the Uncle Bob’s fellow for 12 months in 2015 and then again for 6 months in 2018. The UBC fellowship provided me with a number of fantastic opportunities. Firstly as an overseas trained physician (I did medical school and all of my paediatric training in the UK) it allowed me to come and live and work in Australia. Secondly it provided me with an excellent grounding and excellent experience in general paediatric neurology. The learning curve was extremely step but it helped to give me a great knowledge foundation in paediatric neurology and unrivalled experience that has set me on the way to my current career in paediatric neurology. Before I started the job I had an interest in paediatric neurology and a desire to learn more, but with the intentions of working as a general paediatrician. The UBC fellowship turned that interest into a love and gave me a fire in the belly to work hard both as a clinician and a researcher to improve the lives and outcome of children with neurological conditions and their families.
What is your job currently?
I completed my paediatric neurology training after my second stint as the UBC fellow in August 2018. Since February 2019 I have been a Consultant Neurologist working part time at the RCH and part time in private practice whilst at the same time working on my PhD in novel treatments for rare neurological disorders.
What would you like to say to UBC and their supporters for funding this position?
I would like to say a massive THANK YOU to all supporters and donors and the entire UBC membership. Their support over the last ten years has allowed a number of today’s neurologists to receive excellent training in neurology and has helped to shape them into the neurologists they are today. The continuing support of UBC is helping to shape the future of the neurologists of tomorrow and for that on behalf of all neurologists and the patients that they will treat in the future I would like to say again, thank you so very much!
Dr Vivek Jain – 2011 Fellow
Dr Vivek Jain was appointed the UBC General Neurology Fellow in 2011. Dr Jain had completed his subspecialty training in paediatric neurology in the UK before moving to Melbourne to gain further experience at the RCH.
When did you realise you had an interest in neurology?
I have always found paediatric neurology fascinating and challenging because of the variety of problems that could affect the developing brain of infants and young children. I realised this specialty had huge potential for development and research during my postgraduate paediatrics training in India. This interest was further strengthened whilst working as a paediatric neurology trainee in the UK.
How did the UBC fellowship help you in your career?
I was able to enhance my clinical skills in diagnosing complex paediatric neurological conditions in the busy referral centre at the RCH. This is where I also gained significant exposure and training in paediatric neurology subspecialties like epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders. I was also able to improve my ability to interpret neurophysiological (EEGs) and neuroradiological (brain scan) investigations. In this way, the UBC fellowship complimented the training I had already received in the UK.
What are you doing currently?
I am working as a Consultant Paediatric Neurologist in Jaipur, North India.
What would you like to say to UBC and their supporters for funding this position?
It was only because of the UBC fellowship grant that I was able to come and train at such a world class Neurology Department. Whenever I see a child come to my hospital from a remote village, I think of how impactful my training was. By learning from my colleagues at the RCH I have developed the knowledge and expertise to treat these children who previously had no other options.
Dr Kathryn Irving – 2017 Fellow
Dr Kathryn Irving was appointed the UBC General Neurology Fellow in 2017. An accomplished clinician and historian, Kathryn has been working within the RCH Neurology Department for four years and is passionate about supporting children with neurological conditions.
When did you realise you had an interest in neurology?
My primary interest was in children with disability and that’s what led me into neurology, this department was a fantastic place to work and for me it just ticks all the boxes: it’s an intellectual challenge especially with diagnosis, and the genetic revolution has played a huge role in neurology, perhaps more so than other fields. The brain is endlessly fascinating and so there is lifelong learning.
How did the UBC fellowship help you in your career?
Being the General Neurology Fellow gave me primary responsibility for caring for children admitted to hospital with neurological conditions. It was an amazing opportunity to learn general neurology from my medical, nursing and allied health colleagues, and I also benefitted from the department’s research and clinical expertise in various sub-fields. Overall, the fellowship helped me build my knowledge and skills in clinical care.
What are you doing currently?
I am currently working as the Rats of Tobruk Epilepsy Neurology Fellow at the RCH, refining my skills in this specialty as I progress towards becoming a qualified paediatric neurologist.
What would you like to say to UBC and their supporters for funding this position?
Uncle Bob’s Club and their supporters are guaranteeing that Victoria is going to have world-class paediatric neurologists in the future and it’s just not possible without these kinds of training and fellowships. Their incredible commitment to the RCH Neurology Department is really inspiring and reminds me that the work that I’m doing is important and valued by the community.