Chamika on track with local medical pathway
Bundaberg’s Chamika Kotakadeniya is on track to become the first doctor to complete their full medical studies and training in the region, thanks to the Regional Medical Pathway.
The Regional Medical Pathway (or RMP as it is widely known by students and within health circles) is an Australian‑first university and hospital partnership between CQUniversity, the University of Queensland, and the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services.
Chamika started in the RMP straight out of high school in 2022 by entering CQUniversity’s foundation cohort of the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine).
He graduated from the course at the end of 2024 with distinction alongside 30 other foundation students from Bundaberg and Rockhampton.
After successfully completing the CQUniversity program, Chamika has now commenced his MD studies with The University of Queensland through the Bundaberg Rural Clinical school.
Chamika explained that he felt honoured to be the first and only student from Bundaberg to enter the Pathway in 2022 and that he was grateful to have the opportunity to become the first local to complete his medical education and training entirely in Bundaberg.
“It was honestly such a privilege to be from Bundaberg and to be part of the RMP in its foundation year.
“I think in some ways I definitely had a hometown advantage because I was the only person in my class that was studying with the added benefit of living at home,” Chamika said.
“This understanding also pushed me to make sure I did everything I could to help my cohort get settled into Bundaberg.
“Initially I took them to different places around the region, organised social events and even had them over for traditional Sri Lankan meals at home.
“I was also part of starting up the new medical society for CQU, started by the foundation year cohort. We called it the CQUniversity Medical Society or CQUMS and this is a legacy that will continue as new cohorts of students move through the program."
Having now started the four-year MD program with The University of Queensland, Chamika said he was expecting it to be challenging but felt prepared by the foundations delivered by the CQUniversity course.
“I feel like the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway) to medicine has given me a great foundation to build on as I progress through my medical studies.
“Throughout the first three years of the RMP it was clear that all partners were aligned and that the opportunities we were given would set us up to succeed not just in the MD course but also in our future medical internships and training.
“I already feel like I have gained so much knowledge from the CQUniversity course content, the teachers and also through the embedded observational placements that have prepared me for clinical placement moving forward.
“The observational placements were incredible, and the medical professionals involved provided so much valuable guidance.
“In fact, my first ever observational placement was in elective surgery, and I was able to witness a baby being born via a C-section procedure.
"It is something I will remember for the rest of my life and something I am really grateful to have experienced so early on in my medical studies,” he said.
Chamika encourages other young people from regional areas to also seriously consider a career in medicine and to take advantage of being able to enter a program like the RMP.
“I say 'go for it'.
“To be able to study medicine from home with the support of your family is a very rare and unique opportunity.
“You will also have lots of fun on top of the amazing well-balanced learning opportunities.
“Medicine is also a noble profession and the RMP highlights the reasons why doctors do what they do. The course makes you understand that medicine is a group effort. With people from different backgrounds who are all serving people with one common goal – to ensure that people’s health gets better.
“I highly recommend this course to anyone and everyone, especially young people from Bundaberg.
“It has given me so many opportunities that go far beyond just medicine and I know there are so many opportunities for me to make a difference in my local community moving forward.”
For more information about the CQUniversity Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) please visit the course page on CQUniversity’s website.
