World first: triplets become doctors

23 December 2004

Sydney triplets made medical history at the University of New South Wales recently when they graduated as doctors. This is the first recorded instance of a set of triplets graduating together as medical practitioners anywhere in the world.

"We just generally end up doing the same thing. That is probably why we all decided to choose medicine," said one of the triplets, 24-year-old Tamara Preda.

"There are lots of doctors in our family," said Veronica, the non-identical sister in the group. "Mum and Dad are both doctors as well as some of our aunties and uncles. We did have some insight about what might be involved, before we started the program."

After their six years of study at UNSW, the triplets were all randomly selected to complete their internships at Liverpool hospital.

"We try not to broadcast that we are triplets," said Martina. "We prefer to be seen as individuals. People think we are quite similar, but people who know us better know we are quite different."

Also graduating at the same ceremony earlier this month was the first Indigenous student to complete UNSW's Pre-Medicine Program (PMP) and then go on to become a doctor.

Dr Wadwell, who grew up in Spring Ridge, near Tamworth, has just moved back to the area.

The 25-year-old will work at the Tamworth Base Hospital for her internship and hopes to become a GP in the local area.

"Medicine just seemed to be a logical choice for me," she said. "I can help people and it is also a challenging career. If it had not been for the Pre-Medicine Program I might have ended up in a totally different area. It really helped me realise the possibilities of Medicine."

The program, which is in its seventh year, is aimed at reducing the shortage of Indigenous doctors across the country. It is run by the Faculty of Medicine in collaboration with Nura Gili Indigenous Programs.

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