But a trip to a Uganda Mission set her on a different path, laying the foundations for her interest in medicine and a passion for rural health.
“As a teenager it was very confronting to visit one of the poorest nations in the world, and in particular access to adequate health services and the lack of infrastructure within the hospital setting. It made me take stock of my aspirations and realign them to a more meaningful life centred around others.
“Once you have seen that kind of poverty it is hard to look away. I wanted to do something meaningful with my life, to make a real difference. I had witnessed suffering for myself, and I thought- ‘well what are you going to do about it?’
“I was interested in science and was a good student, and I had lived experience with my mother who suffered from a chronic illness and the complexities of her ongoing care, so I decided to study medicine instead" Juliet said.
Dr Chan is one of 28 Interns who commenced at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital in 2023, in a pathway tailored to rural and regional medical practice.
This involves a two-year training program with networked hospitals throughout the state, providing formal and on the job training across different specialties during the intern year, including surgery, medicine and emergency medicine.
As a medical graduate, Dr Chan felt that Wagga Wagga Base Hospital was a standout in providing the necessary opportunity and support to complete her supervised year of practice in order to become an independent practitioner.
“I chose Wagga Wagga Base Hospital because I have a passion for rural health, and Wagga is a pioneer in its training program for junior doctors.”
“It has a really good reputation for looking after junior doctors and I knew I would benefit from that kind of support. You tend to build closer professional relationships with your bosses, and they seem to be more invested in your professional development and they have more time to spend with each intern,” Juliet said.
“I have travelled around quite a bit already as a junior doctor and worked in many rural facilities across NSW, and I think it is a good opportunity to travel around and experience all the opportunities in rural and remote settings.
‘It can be more complex and diverse, and you practice in a much more general scope, rather than being limited to a single niche speciality.
“I am considering the Rural Generalist Training program and looking at GP Obstetrics in the future. I feel there is a gap there and to be able to practice as a community doctor with a speciality is another way to make a positive impact here.
“I am really enjoying it so far, and I love the culture at Wagga Base Hospital and within the community.
All the Junior Medical Doctors here are new, but we are all looking out for each other and feel really connected already.
“My husband is a GP and has finished his training, so I am lucky he was able to follow me in his career as well.
“We have joined a local church, and everyone is welcoming, inviting us for dinners and social events, we feel like Wagga is home already.
“My faith as a Christian has given me the encouragement and strength to keep going, even when I think I do not have much left to give.
“Your first years as a doctor can be extremely busy, stressful and overwhelming, but I feel my life experiences and my faith have directly led me to a vocation that involves making a positive and meaningful impact in others’ lives.
“Once you understand the situation in rural areas, it is really hard to turn away from it. There are both positive and negative experiences for people when navigating the health system, particularly in a more rural setting where access to specialists can be more difficult, and I want to be a part of the solution.
‘I feel needed here, you are part of the community, and they really care about you. I feel quite privileged to be serving people who live in our regional communities, I feel like I am meant to be here.