A Doctor 20 Years in the Making

Dr Toby Sen Gupta (right) and his sister Eliza at the opening of the James Cook University Medical School, 5 December 2000

Tianna Graham Communications and Engagement Coordinator, James Cook University

Dr Toby Sen Gupta is a graduate doctor entering the next phase of his medical training. Born and bred in Townsville, Toby is undertaking his internship at the Townsville University Hospital in 2021. Combining his passions for rural medicine and North Queensland, Toby has set his sights on a career in rural generalism. Here, Toby reflects on his time at JCU, and how his connection to the university unknowingly began as a toddler.

On the 5th of December 2000, when I was three, I attended the opening ceremony for the JCU School of Medicine. My dad, Professor Tarun Sen Gupta, was part of the original group of teaching staff. Reflecting on it, even from a young age, the desire to be a doctor has always been there. It’s been a very straightforward journey for me. I chose to study at JCU because I knew about the university’s focus on rural and remote health. My dad was also a great role model for a career in rural generalism, so JCU’s rural focus really appealed to me. I also enjoyed living in North Queensland and couldn’t see myself heading south for study, having to wait 40 minutes in traffic to get to university every day.

Experiencing Rural Medicine

The clinical years of the Medicine degree were the highlight of my time at JCU. After three years of textbook-based study, the transition into clinical placement was really, really sorely needed. As a student, it was so beneficial to be in the hospital setting, interacting with real patients and becoming a part of the team. I felt it helped me learn the communication and teamwork skills I would later require to be an effective worker.

In my second year, I had the opportunity to go to Thursday Island, in the Torres Straits, for a four-week rural placement. The Torres Strait is such an iconic and beautiful place and the experiences I had are unparalleled. In particular, the hospital is next to the sea, the operating theatre boasts ocean views and the helipad floats on the water. I fondly remember one particular morning, when one of the senior doctors walked through the ED at 7.50am, in a wetsuit, with a spear gun over his shoulder. He’d just gone fishing off the hospital prior to morning handover and starting his shift.

I was also provided the opportunity to help with GP outreach clinics on the outer islands. Along with some of the doctors from the hospital, this involved offshore day-trips via helicopter. Travelling to these places emphasised how important health and medicine is to every region. It was really nice to experience a completely different and underappreciated part of this vast and beautiful country.

Moving forward, in 2020, I was fortunate to do a six-month extended rural placement at the Ayr Hospital. This experience stands out for me in particular, as nine of the senior doctors were both JCU Medicine graduates and rural generalists. As someone pursuing a similar pathway, it was such a welcome experience to work with like-minded individuals who were welcoming, genuine and willing to teach.

I was in Ayr from January through to late May, during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. It was quite scary at the time. The small rural hospital in Ayr wasn’t properly equipped to handle a pandemic. This was especially concerning as the Burdekin has a high population of vulnerable people, such as older farmers. I was lucky that my placement wasn’t disrupted, but there was definitely a fear that if COVID reached the town, the whole hospital might have to shut down. Fortunately, as it turned out, we only had one case. This individual came from Brisbane via Townsville and isolated appropriately, and we had no other significant scares.

I felt like those six months did so much for me in terms of my confidence heading into my internship. For me, it cemented that I wanted to apply for the Rural Generalist Pathway. To this end, I will be undertaking this program in 2021 and beyond.

Dr Toby Sen Gupta flying in a helicopter during a 2nd year rural placement on Thursday Island

Dr Toby Sen Gupta leading the pack during the 2018 ‘Run to Better Days’ charity event

Running To Eradicate Poverty

‘Run to Better Days’ was another standout of my time at JCU. This annual charity relay was founded by JCU students Dan Charles, Brenton Mayer and Laura Koefler in 2012. It aims to raise awareness about global poverty and promote the idea of effective altruism. The event itself sees a group of 15-20 JCU students run a stretch of 1,200kms down the coast of Queensland, over a period of 14 days (in a typical non-COVID year).

In my first year, I participated in the relay. In my second year, I took on the task of organising it, along with Matthias Wust, Simon Johnston and Julian Pecora. Ever since then, I’ve been involved in the run in some capacity. I’ve spent many, many hours either plotting various running routes in Google Maps, or trying to juggle the logistical challenges thrown up by such a large event.

I think, as of our last tally, the ‘Run to Better Days’ event had raised over $135,000 for various cost-effective charities over the last eight years. In the course of running 7,000 kilometres, we’ve talked to about 40,000 people from various communities. It’s a privilege to be a part of such a wonderful charity, and I just feel so humbled to be able to continually contribute to the vision that Dan, Lauren and Brenton had back in 2012.

Something I’ve really thought about this year is how everyone I’ve regarded as a ‘good doctor’ has also been a good person. You can study textbooks all day long, but what’s really important is being compassionate in all of your interactions — especially with patients. It’s such a key part of the job.

In the first few years of studying Medicine, we focus on learning everything from books, videos and lectures. But there’s a whole other set of skills you can gain from having hobbies outside of the degree. My one, parting piece of advice is that while textbook learning is an important foundation, it’s the interpersonal experiences that make your life and future practice as a doctor so much more engaging, rewarding and fulfilling.

Dr Toby Sen Gupta hugging his father, Professor Tarun Sen Gupta at the JCU Medicine Class of 2020 Oath Ceremony

Making JCU history

Graduating from JCU Medicine in its 20th year, I feel as though I am now part of an increasingly rich history. JCU offers such a unique program. In my final weeks, it’s been humbling to talk to the parents of my colleagues. Some of them are doctors, and remember in the 90s when the JCU Medical School was viewed as a moonshot that would never come off. Fast forward 20 successful iterations, and here they are with their own children now graduating from the program. I think, particularly for someone like my dad, who has been involved since the beginning, it’s a really great thing to see.

During my time as a student, I realised I couldn’t do anything else. It’s quite special to look back on photos from the early 2000s, when the Medical School first opened, and reflect upon the journey that has led up to my graduation, as a member of the Class of 2020.

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