A former fly in-fly out mines driller who recently graduated from USC with a Psychology degree is taking his career change even further in 2021 after getting into medicine.

Brad Lines, 33, of Landsborough, has been accepted into his first preference – Griffith University’s Doctor of Medicine program at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH).

“To get a place in this program is amazing,” he said. “My wife Sam works at SCUH as a nurse and we have family nearby, which will be wonderful for our baby daughter and an essential support for us over the next four years.

“I didn't know that a career in medicine was an option for me as a mature-age student without an OP score until I began studying at USC, which helped me identify my strengths and gave me the confidence to pursue the goal of becoming a medical doctor.”

Brad joins two fellow USC 2020 graduates whose paths to postgraduate medicine in 2021 differ from the usual USC Bachelor of Medical Science, linked to the SCUH program.

Biomedical Science graduates Theo Mostert, of Glenview, and Rees Telford, of Nambour, plan to move to New South Wales this year after they were accepted into medicine at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Sydney respectively.

While COVID-19 restrictions may delay their travel plans, the 21-year-olds are looking forward to their studies.

“I’m super excited,” said Theo, a graduate of Fraser Coast Anglican College. “My dad is a doctor and I idolised (science commentator) Dr Karl Kruszelnicki. USC gave me a fantastic foundation, with Biomedical Science preparing me for medical entry exams and interviews.”

Rees, a graduate of St John’s College Nambour, said he was stoked with three offers and keen to learn about all areas of medicine.

“I’ve been working part-time at Noosa Hospital’s emergency department and that’s given me the idea of a career in retrieval medicine (emergency patient response often via helicopter).”

Brad, who attended high schools on the Sunshine Coast and Proserpine, last year earned USC’s top award, the Chancellor’s Medal, for his outstanding voluntary service as well as academic achievement. He also worked at USC as an Ability Adviser.

“I enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) to work to improve people’s mental health in therapeutic settings,” he said.

“I discovered it was possible for me to become a doctor. My undergraduate GPA and my GAMSAT score met the requirements for an interview at Griffith University and everything progressed from there.

“I am confident my initial nerves will fade once I sink my teeth into Semester 1. I’m looking forward to meeting the people I’ll be studying with for the next four years, as we examine the life of a doctor.”