Solomon islander Quinney Marie Rodgers, 23, re-enacted her father’s feat of 24 years prior, by scooping the gold medal at the Fiji School of Medicine graduation .
An article published in The Fiji Times on December 4, 2004 said her family was a rarity because her parents were doctors.
Ms Rodgers said it took hard work to make a difference for her.
“I do not look at trying to be the best in class but to be better at whatever studies I pursue because it really makes a difference,” she said.
The bespectacled medic said she was 11 years old, while visiting her mother, Dr Elizabeth Rodgers, in a hospital in the Solomons, that she came face to face with the victims of war in her country.
She said seeing the injuries and sufferings of the victims made her decide to pursue medicine as a career. The article said Ms Rodgers planned to leave Fiji to work in the Solomons while her mother lectured at the school and her father, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, was based at the Pacific Community in Nabua.
“There is so much to be done back home,” she said.
Speaking to the graduates, school dean Dr Wame Baravilala said students enrolment that year topped the 1000 mark.
Dr Baravilala said a third were on-campus students, but the bulk was a combination of day students and those enrolled in distance and flexible learning courses.
“The Vodafone ATH Trust provided funding for 10 students to go on overseas electives,” he said.
“Previous funding was restricted to medical students, but the additional funds allowed us to accept applications from students in other programs.”
Dr Baravilala said they had advertised in India because of resignations and vacancies in senior clinical positions.
He said some academics had been appointed to Suva and Lautoka hospitals.
