Ellie Birch – Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Physiology)
Healthcare Worker Experience Intern, North Metropolitan Health Service
Ellie Birch’s internship didn’t end when her placement finished. What began as a short-term research experience within the Women and Newborn Mental Health Service has continued into ongoing work, including a co-authorship on a forthcoming academic paper.
As a third-year Biomedical Science student, Ellie applied for a McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship to gain practical experience beyond her studies.
“I wanted to gain real-world experience related to my degree, as I feel that academic learning only goes so far,” she said.
Working with the team at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Ellie contributed to research focused on women’s healthcare and staff wellbeing. Her work included preparing an ethics application for a staff survey, which was approved on its first submission, and supporting a systematic literature review by collecting and organising data from published studies.
Rather than finishing at the end of the placement, Ellie chose to continue contributing in her own time on a volunteer basis.
This extended commitment has led to her being recognised as a co-author on the research paper once it is published — an outcome that reflects both the quality of her work and her willingness to stay involved.
The experience also gave Ellie insight into how research translates into practice. The projects she worked on aim to improve both patient care and support for healthcare workers, contributing to better outcomes within the health system.
“Research into this area is essential to improving patient outcomes and supporting healthcare staff,” she said.
Beyond the technical work, Ellie valued the opportunity to learn directly from experienced professionals.
“It was inspiring being around like-minded people who want to help enrich the lives of others with their research,” she said.
Her supervisor, Medical Co-Director and Consultant Psychiatrist Julia Feutrill, noted Ellie’s approach to the role.
“Ellie has been an absolute pleasure to have… She has worked well with team members and shown initiative and commitment,” she said.
The internship also clarified her interest in research as a career pathway. Through hands-on involvement, she gained insight into how studies are designed, conducted and used to inform practice.
“This experience gave me valuable insight into the behind-the-scenes processes involved in scientific research,” she said.
As she approaches graduation, Ellie sees the internship as an important step in building both her skills and confidence.
“It’s an opportunity to stand out from the crowd,” she said. “Experiences like this help shape your skills, perspective, and who you become.”
She encourages other students to take a similar approach, particularly those wanting to apply their studies in a meaningful way.
“McCusker provides real-world experience that better prepares students for the workforce,” she said.