Globetrotting nurse starts doctor journey at Townsville HHS

After five years working as a neonatal nurse, caring for pre-term and critically unwell babies at Townsville University Hospital (TUH), Lisa Altmann is ready for her new challenge as a first-year doctor in the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.  

Dr Altmann, 37, was one of 74 interns who started their medical careers with the health service recently. 

“I started as a nurse at 21 years old where I then travelled the world, working in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Sierra Leone, Libya, Laos, and Papua New Guinea,” she said. 

“I was working as a nursing educator in Laos when I had to travel to Cairns to do some block modules for a master’s in public health and tropical medicine I was doing through James Cook University. 

“I fell in love with the tropical climate, the people, and the north Queensland area and that’s when I applied to study a Bachelor of Medicine at James Cook University. 

“JCU accepted my application and I moved to Townsville six years ago, just after the 2019 flood. 

“Since then, I have studied full time and worked casually at TUH as a registered nurse in the neonatal unit.” 

Dr Altmann graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine with Distinction last year. 

“It has been a long road to get here, and I am looking forward to this next stage of my healthcare career and continuing to help people in need,” she said. 

Neonatologist Professor Yoga Kandasamy said Dr Altmann had the warmest congratulations of everyone in the neonatal unit. 

“Lisa has been a valuable member of our neonatal nursing team and we’re thrilled to see her achieve her dream of becoming a doctor,” he said. 

Over the next 12 months, the interns will work across several areas of the health service including general medicine, emergency care, cardiology, surgery, paediatrics, rural health care and cancer care. 

They will also work in some of the rural communities within the HHS with each intern doctor spending time in Townsville, Charters Towers, Ayr, Ingham, and Palm Island.

Chief medical officer Dr Niall Small said he was excited to be able to welcome the new cohort of intern doctors. 

“The demand for high-quality medical care in north Queensland continues to grow and these junior doctors are part of the next wave to help deliver on that,” Dr Small said. 

“Each of these doctors have done the hard yards in studying medicine for several years and these internships are about applying that knowledge in a practical sense. 

“Over the next year they will be given support and guidance to help them transition out of their internships and into work. 

“Each year I look forward to welcoming the junior doctors and watching them grow their skillset and knowledge as they begin their journey with our health service. 

“The experience our junior doctors will gain by interning at the only tertiary referral hospital in north Queensland is invaluable and I look forward to seeing our cohort become exceptional doctors.” 

Dr Altmann said she was both nervous and excited to start work as a doctor. 

“It has been a lot of years of hard work, and it is a bit surreal to wear the red doctor's lanyard and no longer introduce myself as a medical student,” she said. 

“One day I hope to be able to work in a rural location to do a bit of general practice, emergency, and obstetric work. 

“For now, I will spend the next year learning as much as I can while also training Lucy - my labradoodle puppy - to become a therapy dog.”