Two JCU students have been given the opportunity to participate in an international program.

By Domanii Cameron

Two JCU Townsville students will get the chance to experience international policy as they head overseas to take part in Global Voices conferences.

Bachelor of Arts and Law student Bryn Smith and Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery student Phoebe Shiu  have been selected to represent Australia at two separate Global Voices conferences this year.

JCU Students: Phoebe Shiu and Bryn Smith have been chosen to attend Global Voices conferences. Photo courtesy of Phoebe Shiu

The 22-year-old Bachelor of Arts and Law student Bryn Smith focused his research proposal around the links between poverty and food security and what the World Bank and Australia could do to address poverty issues around the world.

Bryn is currently attending a conference in Washington DC.

He will have the opportunity to hear from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, World Bank President, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, and International Monetary Fund Managing Director, Christine Lagarde.

On his return, he aims to finish his degree and use the knowledge he gains from the experiences to make himself a stronger applicant for job interviews.

“I’m going to really try and anchor a job with the Royal Australian Air Force.

“I want to work in the Intelligence Division in the Information Wing as an Intelligence Officer,” he says.

The delegation will also meet privately with Australian Ambassador to the United States, The Hon. Kim Beazley AC, and the World Bank’s Executive Director for Australia, Michael Willcock while in Washington DC.

Medical student Phoebe who will be travelling to Nairobi, Kenya in late June says she is looking forward to all the activities.

The 21-year-old medicine student’s research proposal entailed looking at Sustainable Health in Low-Resource settings such as slums and refugee camps through the use of vaccinations and the potential improvements that could be implemented to increase efficiency.

“I am interested in Global and International Health and I believe this trip will give me an insight into something I would like to pursue in the future which is medical aid work in developing countries,” Phoebe says.

While in Kenya, she will be spending time at the UNEA for policy making for sustainable development and will also be visiting orphanages and supporting the local businesses.

“I think being able to experience United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) will be fantastic.

“To really see world leaders congregating and discussing implementing and committing to goals and tasks for global development.,” she says.

Both students will have the opportunity to partake in numerous seminars, workshops and briefings.

IN CANBERRA: Phoebe Shiu (far left) and Bryn Smith (far right) with the Foreign Affairs Minister The Honour Julie Bishop

Communications Officer for Global Voices Kirby Taylor says the students will be provided with an array of professional development opportunities.

“These opportunities include high profile networking opportunities, developing new writing and research skills, the potential to get their work published and the chance to spend time with like-minded young Australians who are also passionate about international diplomacy,” Kirby says.

James Cook University has a strong partnership with Global Voices that always sees many students participating.

“Our partnership with them (JCU) began with four students in 2013 but we also had two students from JCU attend APEC and G20 delegations in 2011 and 2012,” Kirby says.

“This was through a partnership specifically with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

“This year will see at least 3 students partaking in our programs.”

The primary purpose of Global Voices is to educate.

“We believe that education is a powerful driver of change in society and we seek to provide a platform for young Australians to engage with youth and other leaders from across the world,” Kirby says.

“We believe that young people are powerful agents of change and that practical education opportunities are crucial to unlocking this potential.”

Students who wish to apply must submit a short personal statement, a specific research proposal related to the delegation’s theme, and a copy of your CV or resume.

“Delegates are chosen on the basis of what they can contribute to a delegation, but also what they will gain from the experience.

“The selected young leaders are high achieving individuals aged 18 – 30 who are active in their local and national communities and have a passion for youth empowerment and global affairs,” Kirby says.

Students can apply directly through Global Voices when applications open in February and July.

Patients may soon be saying goodbye to troublesome foot ulcers thanks to a study by a JCU researcher.

By Emma Kennedy

JCU PhD candidate and Vascular Biology Unit researcher Malindu Fernando said the study aimed to discover the causes and triggers of foot ulcers in Type 2 Diabetes patients.

HIGH-TECH: JCU PhD candidate and researcher Malindu Fernando with the close to $500,000 worth of equipment he will use to study diabetic foot ulcers

“We know there is a risk of foot ulcers [in Type 2 Diabetes patients] but nobody’s looked at how sugar control affects the process over a long time,” he said.

“We want to look at how these people are walking and how that has an effect on their diabetes.”

A symptom of diabetes is a loss of sensation in the feet which can lead to foot ulcers and other problems due to patients being unable to feel any injuries that may occur.

Mr Fernando initiated the study after completing placement in Townsville last year and seeing first-hand the “big problem” foot ulceration was in the area.

He began signing participants for the trial last month but still needs more for a full control study.

The study will primarily focus on around 50 Type 2 Diabetes patients with foot ulcers, but will also need the same number of Type 2 Diabetic patients without complications and a group of non-diabetic participants as a comparison.

“People will have an initial assessment with a vascular specialist and a diabetes specialist who will do some tests, then after that they will come to JCU and the system here will tell us in very fine detail about how people with diabetes are walking,” Mr Fernando said.

“We’ll look at the forces through their lower legs, hips, knees, ankles and joints as well as the pressures under their foot, how well the muscles are working and how much their diabetes may have affected their walking.”

Mr Fernando said the ideal outcome would be to determine whether or not the ulcers were preventable or treatable with walking techniques and strategise how to do so.

“We want to know how we can address this problem better or how we can prevent it early on as well as address how they’re walking,” he said.

“We’d like to see if there are any specific markers in the blood to prevent ulcers before they happen and then treat them if they’ve already happened.

“In treating we can look at walking patterns, different areas of the diabetes and the effects on the body.”

Study participants will need to attend an initial visit of 90 minutes to two hours, as well as an hour visit at the three, six, nine and 12-month mark but in return will receive a detailed analysis of their walking and tips on how to better their health as a result.

Mr Fernando will be recruiting participants until the end of the yea, with a particular interest in those aged between 45 and 70.

Anyone interested in participating should contact their local GP or Mr Fernando himself on 4781 3144.

James Cook University will introduce a reformed nursing degree from 2013 in order to improve the transition from university to real-world nursing work and guarantee students are ready for industry requirements.

PHOTO: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

By Adrienne Curry

The “transformed” degree involves flexible modes of delivery and four major options; Evidence-Based Practice, Mental Health, General and Rural and Remote Health.

Bachelor of Nursing Science course coordinator and lecturer Ylona Chun Tie (pictured right) said the availability of more majors is beneficial to students.

“Graduates will be registered as nurses, which allows them to practice in any number of settings,” she said.

“Having a major gives students requisite knowledge to support practice in a specialised setting.”

First year nursing student Nathaniel Wicks said the new curriculum is a solid foundation for those in the degree.

“The introduction of new majors and programs give students the opportunity to practice their knowledge and build skills for future years and experience,” Mr Wicks said.

The opportunities offered are not just for newly-enrolled students, however.

“Current second year students will still be able to complete the Mental Health major.

“Second year students will have the benefit of being able to choose an elective next year, as well as completing the new Capstone: Clinical Nursing Practice subject in Study Period Two of third year, which is the crowning jewel in the program,” Ms Chun Tie said.

The Capstone subjects allow students to apply their clinical knowledge from previous subjects and help prepare them for the transition into the nursing field.

The degree also includes other learning practices to prepare students for future employment.

The new curriculum involves interactive Professional Experience Workshops (PEW) in preparation for professional experience placement.

“Professional Experience Workshops replaces the traditional model of tutorials and clinical skills labs and combines them into one interactive and innovative learning session,” Ms Chun Tie said.

“The refreshed Bachelor of Nursing Science curriculum includes a number of key changes that will increase student choices, improve the student experience and better meet industry requirements of graduates to be work ready through a new and innovative approach to transition to clinical practice.”

For more information, visit the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition.

Hundreds of keen bike riders took to the road from September 29 to October 1 raising funds for the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s annual Cardiac Challenge.

By Andrea Falvo

Three hundred and fifty riders battled the fiery heat of Far North Queensland, riding 335 kilometres from Cairns to Cooktown, raising funds for the Cairns Base Hospital’s Cardiology department.

The fifth annual event attracted enthusiastic riders aged 10 to 75 from all over the state.

Cairns Private Hospital cardiologist, Doctor Greg Starmer, participated in this year’s ride for the first time and said he believed the benefits from the Cardiac Challenge would be felt by the whole district.

“The Cardiac Challenge benefits the whole community and it’s so great to see so many people be part of it,” Dr Starmer said.

“It is touching that so many people participated and everyone for different reasons.

“For some, it was a personal challenge and others to support a family member or friend.

“It’s amazing that a person will actually live from all of this, the fundraising from this event will save lives and I think that is so great,” he said.

This year, $32,1410 was raised which will help grow the hospital’s services to ensure the availability of superior cardiac services in the Far North.

The riders had two overnight stops, at Mt Carbine and Lakeland, where they rested up for long days on the road.

Riders split into 13 different groups according to their riding ability and were followed by support vehicles.

Cardiac Challenge fundraising and marketing manager Glenys Duncombe participated in the ride in 2007 but has remained heavily involved with the event and said it was great to see the ride grow each year.

“So many people participate; good riders, people trying to live a healthy lifestyle and first timers wanting to have a go – it is a life changing experience,” Ms Duncombe said.

“Day two would have to be the biggest leg for the riders with lots of steep hills, but the feeling of accomplishment once you reach Cooktown is so great,” she said.

“The Army, Navy and SES services are a great support to the Cardiac Challenge driving support cars and assisting throughout the weekend.

“IGA provided us with all the breakfast and lunch food and has been a great sponsor over the years.”

Now in its fifth year, the Cardiac Challenge has raised a total of $1 million.

To register for the 2013 Cardiac Challenge or to donate, visit www.cardiacchallenge.com.au

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqoF73Lu3zc[/youtube]

Are you an organ donor? Do your friends and family know your wishes? Have you even thought about it at all?

Amanda Carter

Katrina Zicchino, a Townsville mother who received a lifesaving transplant, would like you to think seriously about these questions because they could save someone’s life.

Katrina was diagnosed with end stage renal failure in 2000 after a routine cholesterol check with her doctor.

“I had about four or five precent function left in my kidneys. I was diagnosed by accident, I went to get my cholesterol check and the doctor did a complete run of blood tests and my kidney function was way out of whack,” Katrina said.

Katrina was put on dialysis, something that changed her life dramatically.

“We did dialysis three times a week for… basically it takes up the whole day. You’re on the machine for five hours a day and that changed my life dramatically because I couldn’t work, I couldn’t be there for the kids or go on holidays; you’re tied to the dialysis machine,” she said.

But dialysis is not a cure and many patients have to wait years to get transplants and as Katrina points out, many die while waiting for organs to become available.

Thankfully for the mother of two, after three years on dialysis, a kidney became available and she was a match.

Katrina flew to Brisbane to receive what she affectionately refers to as a ‘pre-loved’ kidney.

“It was what’s called a cadaveric transplant, where someone else has been diagnosed with brain death in ICU and was listed as an organ donor and I was the next match for a kidney,” she said.

“There’s a lot of misconceptions out there about organ donation. [People] don’t like the idea of the body being cut up, whereas utmost respect is given. They even replace the eyes with glass eyes,” says Katrina, who is also an representative for Donate Life , an initiative aimed at helping people understand organ donation.

The Donate Life website says that Australia is a world leader for successful transplant outcomes, yet has one of the lowest donation rates in the developed world. Around 1600 Australians are on the organ transplant waiting list.

Katrina, her family and many families like hers would like to see more people became organ donors. One organ donor can save or improve the lives of 10-12 people.

Katrina understands it can be a difficult subject to talk about but would like people to be open with family and friends about organ donation. Up to 43% of Australians do not know or are not sure of the donation wishes of their loved ones.

“The best thing people can do is to actually talk to your family and very close friends about it so that if ever you were in that unfortunate situation when you’re in ICU and you are declared brain dead and the question comes up about organ donation your family knows what you wanted, what your wishes are.”

“Because at the end of the day your family will have the final say,” she said.

Katrina is now involved with raising awareness about organ donation and has told a part of her story in the DonateLife Book of Life, a compilation of stories told by survivors and the families of the donors.

In an excerpt from her story, Katrina speaks of what it’s like to get a second lease on life:

“I am so blessed to be alive and life is an amazing adventure. Every day is precious and like many transplant recipients, I live life in the moment. I will always be incredibly grateful for the most generous gift any human being could give, a part of them that lives on to give another person a chance for a happy, healthy life.” DonateLife Book of Life.

“Receiving a transplant is basically a second chance at life. And it’s a huge, huge blessing. It really just gives another person a second chance on life. It’s a true gift of life.”

If you’re thinking of becoming an organ donor visit the Donate Life website for more information. The most important thing is to talk to your loved ones and make them aware of your wishes.

Pet owners need to be on the watch for paralysis ticks this season with veterinary clinics around Townsville reporting a dramatic rise in cases.

TICK: A microscopic photo of the Australian Paralysis Tick
PHOTO: Matt Allworth (Flikr)

By Sophie Kesteven

Head of the JCU Veterinary Emergency Centre and Hospital in Townsville Dr Philip Judge (pictured right) has seen the increase first-hand.

“Over the last two-and-a-half years we would have seen around 10 cases of tick paralysis per year,” he said.

“We have probably seen 15 cases in the last two months this year alone.”

Dr Judge said the spike in blood-sucking pests could be due to climatic changes in the middle of winter when Townsville experienced uncharacteristic rainfall.

Dr Judge advises pet owners to carry out full body checks on their cats and dogs daily, if possible, and use tick-preventative medication.

“The symptoms of tick paralysis start with weakness typically in the hind limbs –owners typically notice wobbliness in the back legs or reluctance to get up and move around as their pet would normally do,” he said.

Dr Judge said it was important for animals with paralysis ticks to be treated immediately as the disease, if left unchecked, could be fatal.

“The paralysis tick produces a toxin that interferes with nerve transmission to muscle tissue and can cause respiratory muscle paralysis and death,” he said.

Controversial treatment

The JCU Veterinary Emergency Clinic treats paralysis ticks by administering a tick antiserum to the animal.

However, Dr Judge said humans affected by the same tick aren’t given the antiserum treatment anymore.

“The use of tick antiserum is a little bit controversial in the human field,” he said.

“If you or I were bitten by a tick and taken to a hospital we’re generally not given tick antiserum at all,”

Dr Judge said this was a result of a study several years ago that looked at the length of hospital stays of people treated with and without the antiserum.

“They found there was no difference in the recovery rates or time of admission,” Dr Judge said.

The JCU Emergency Veterinary Clinic, like many others around the country, continues to use the tick antiserum on animals. Dr Judge said the same level of research on the serum’s effectiveness on canine and feline patients hasn’t been done.

“It is believed the tick antiserum is quite effective in dogs and cats and many vets do see quite a noticeable difference in the neurological function of their patients after they administer it,” he said.

“The antiserum is administered with a lot of other treatments like oxygen therapy and fluid therapy so whether or not those interventions are having an effect on the patient as well is not known.

“Here at JCU we do administer tick antiserum because that is what is recommended by tick paralysis experts around the country.”

If your dog or cat is showing signs of paralysis, or if you’ve been bitten, Dr Judge recommends seeking medical attention immediately.

JCU medicine students get hands-on experience treating members of the community at Vincent State School’s Free Community Health Project.

By Adrienne Curry

Last year, JCU medicine tutor Dr Nicole Mohajer, Vincent State School principal Christie Schmid and Australian charity The Smith Family joined forces to create the Free Community Health Project available for students and families at Vincent State School.

The project commenced earlier this year.

The Free Community Health Project aims to assist children establish developing healthy eating patterns and providing James Cook University medicine students the chance to gain experience in educating primary school children.

Dr Mohajer decided the project would be a good opportunity for fifth year medicine students in their General Practitioner (GP) term to exercise what they had learned at university and in placement.

“All GPs are expected to address obesity and dietary choices and to be able to work with their patients in managing lifestyle risks,” Dr Mohajer said.

“The fifth years spend most of their time in the hospital or GP clinic,” she said.

“This gives them an opportunity to also experience the wider community.”

The medical students practice dealing with children in a general practitioner’s position and teaching Vincent State School students healthy lifestyle habits.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES: Students learn healthy habits

The work includes making medical observations and measurements, documenting blood pressure and explaining recipes and health tips.

Dr Mohajer said this opportunity was a beneficial medical platform for JCU medicine students to interact face-to-face with patients.

“On the most basic level, they learn to interact with and explain difficult concepts to primary children.

“They also become aware of the social and cultural issues that affect families from lower socio-economic backgrounds – it will help them when they have patients in the future who may not stick to medical advice because of some of these reasons,” she said.

“Most importantly, it builds engagement and attachment to the community that the medical students are living in.”

Dr Mohajer said Vincent was chosen for its “poor health and development indices”. The project is available to everyone but has a high focus on indigenous health.

IN PRACTICE: JCU Medicine students interacting with kids at Vincent State School

“Everyone is well aware of the huge gaps in lifespan and the large burden chronic disease plays in the indigenous community,” Dr Mohajer said.

“The literature implies some of the reasons for this are fear of the medical profession, not understanding what doctors are talking about, access to clinics, no car, no time, no money or other things to do, and a lack of access to healthy foods.

“Many families have so many pressures on them – overcrowding, poverty, social and health issues, that the minor health complaints of children get neglected.

“We want to bridge the gap between families and the health profession,” she said.

Dr Mohajer said she was confident in the project and had expansion plans.

“There’s a lot of demand for this program in other schools and next year we are considering expanding the number of schools and involving other health profession students.”

She said she believed teaching children to be healthy was one of the most important aspects of life.

“Making healthy choices cheap, fun and easy is so important.”

Vincent State School principal Christie Schmid said the project was aimed at educating the students about healthy lifestyle choices.

“The broad aim of the project is to improve the health and wellbeing of our community as well as to facilitate access to health services,” she said.

“We aim for students and families to have more timely access to health services.”

The Smith Family charity focuses on working with children up to 12 years old in West Townsville.

Free check-ups with JCU medicine students are available until October 31 at Vincent State School every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30 to 4pm.

More than $10 500 have been raised for  Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in honour of Gabriel Debono, a JCU medicine student from Ingham who was killed in a hit-and-run on September 1.

By Joel Preston

The hit-and-run death of JCU medicine student Gabriel Debono on September 1 sent shockwaves through the Townsville and Ingham communities.

His passing was followed by a tidal wave of positive messages on Facebook from family and friends who still can’t believe their friend, classmate and mentor was gone.

Their messages all have a similar theme – Gabriel was someone they’ll never forget.

FULL OF LIFE: Gabriel Debono was loved by many

George Roberts resident Alex Leotta described his best mate Gabriel as “loveable”.

“I can’t think of one person who would speak a bad word about Gabe,” he said.

“It’s not like one of those things where someone passes away tragically and there are a few people who don’t like him that change their tone and say ‘Oh no, he was a really good person’.

“Gabe was just flat out awesome.”

Mr Leotta said there was an air of disbelief surrounding Gabriel’s sudden passing.

“I couldn’t believe it – even being in the hospital room, it doesn’t even register that it’s happening,” he said.

“I still don’t think it has even registered now.”

Mr Leotta said the response from students at George Roberts, Gabriel’s former college, was “disbelief, followed by devastation”.

Following Gabriel’s death, Mr Leotta started a fundraising initiative to assist the Debono family and raise money for the charity Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) – a charity Gabriel hoped to work with after becoming a qualified doctor.

“I think that’s what Gabe really wanted to get involved in because that’s what his life was really. He just wanted to be a doctor and help people out.”

Gabriel spent a year in Peru during 2010 after he completed high school. Mr Leotta said that while his mate was over there he saw the highs and lows of humanity.

“He would have seen the extremely rich and the extremely poor and he lived with a couple of poorer families while he was over there,” he said.

“He really wanted to help people who were a little bit more disadvantaged in the world.”

Mr Leotta said he’d like to open more donation boxes to give others the opportunity to contribute.

“Hopefully in the coming days, we can get more donation boxes up around the university,” he said.

“I’m going to leave one at George Roberts indefinitely.”

Mr Leotta said it was important for everyone to remember to take care of their mates in town.

A page on the Médecins Sans Frontières website entitled Gabriel Debono – a tribute to his spirit of hope and generosity was organised by Barbara Debono to collect donations on behalf of her son for the charity.

The page has already surpassed its $5000 target with over $10 000 raised in Gabriel’s name.

INSPIRED GENEROSITY: Donators have already doubled Barbara Debono’s target of $5000

Mrs Debono posted on the fundraising page, “We are hoping that, even though Gabe never got to work with Médecins Sans Frontières as he had hoped, our contributions will be a testament to his intentions.”

To donate in Gabriel’s name click here.

Stories from donors continue to trickle onto the web page with comments on how Gabriel influenced their lives.

“Gabe you achieved so much and touched so many lives, you have made your family proud and have been an inspiration to others,” the Tierney family said.

“A wonderful person whose life was tragically cut short, our thoughts and prayers are with your family,” the Pennisi family said.

Police have released an image of a vehicle driven by a person who may have witnessed the fatal hit and run.

The latest police update can be viewed here.

Anyone with any information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crime stoppers.com.au.

For more information on the Médecins Sans Frontières charity click here.