Former Olympian joins 2020 intake of doctors at Western Sydney hospitals

One of Australia’s greatest athletes, Jana Pittman, is one of 130 interns to join Western Sydney Local Health District interns today as part of the 2020 intake.  

Health Minister Brad Hazzard visited Blacktown Hospital today to welcome the recruits, who are part of a record 1027 interns that will start work in NSW public hospitals this year. 

“I want to congratulate Dr Pittman and her colleagues and wish them every success as they start their medical careers at this state of the art facility,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals have had a $700 million expansion and as a result, these JMOs will benefit from world class mentors in world class surroundings.

“Dr Pittman had many wins as an athlete but swapping her running spikes for a stethoscope is a win for patients, and I thank her and the entire JMO class of 2020.”

This year, WSLHD has welcomed 130 new interns with 83 joining Westmead and Auburn, and 47 to join Blacktown and Mount Druitt.

WSLHD chief executive Graeme Loy welcomed the new interns at their orientation today.

“Patients are always the centre of what we do. So if there is one thing I will ask of you today is to think about treating your patients like they are your own. Whatever decision you make, treat them like they are your own family,” Graeme said.

Jana Pittman, who has joined Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals today, is a dual Olympian, two-time world champion and four-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist. She has spent the past seven years juggling three children, work and study and is ready to hit the hospital ground running.

“I loved my athletics career, representing Australia was gold, but I hope my future in medicine will be even better,” Ms Pittman said.

“It’s one of those things where you think you’re never going to get there, but it shows that if you persist with something you love, then it just might happen.”

NSW guarantees intern positions to all domestic medical graduates of NSW universities, and provides internships to many graduates from interstate universities.