Backing Bundaberg’s future medical professionals
CQUniversity has partnered with Best Practice Software (Best Practice) to support two first-year medical students from the Bundaberg region through the launch of a new scholarship.
The CQU Cares Best Practice Software Medical Scholarship aim to strengthen the future healthcare workforce by supporting students early in their medical studies.
Administered and awarded by the University, the scholarships provide financial support to two outstanding students commencing their medical studies in 2026.
Best Practice CEO Craig Hodges said the partnership reflects Best Practice’s commitment to supporting emerging clinicians and contributing to regional healthcare capability. “Bundaberg plays a vital role in Queensland’s healthcare landscape, and we’re proud to support local students as they begin their medical journey.”
The University also welcomed the partnership, noting the importance of industry collaboration in supporting students and strengthening regional healthcare pathways.
CQUniversity’s Medical Science Course Manager Maggie Hefer said the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) was a program designed to increase rural and regional medical professional numbers.
“Created for school leavers, after students complete the first three years with CQU, the course provides a provisional entry pathway into the University of Queensland’s regionally based Doctor of Medicine program,” she said.
“This course equips students with the academic readiness and practical grounding required for a future career in medicine.”
The 2026 scholarships have been awarded to Miss Isabelle Hung and Mr Shae Guivarra who recently visited Best Practice Software offices in Bundaberg to learn about digital health and practice management systems.
Isabelle Hung shared her motivation for pursuing medicine: “Around Year 10 I started thinking more deeply about my future, and medicine suddenly felt like something I could really see myself doing. Every doctor makes a big difference in people’s lives, and I think that’s pretty cool.”
“Being part of a regional medical program means I can make a real difference in a community. That’s something I’m really proud of.”
“Getting into this course is definitely one of my proudest achievements.”
Isabelle also expressed gratitude for the support:
“I was really excited and very grateful. It means a lot that a company is willing to support students like us.”
Shae Guivarra was inspired to study medicine when at only seven years of age he watched as paramedics brought his mother back to life after a cardiac arrest caused by a paralysis tick. “Ever since that day, I’ve always done either emergency services, like state emergency services, I’ve done private ambulance services, and I got into the ambulance service. So, I’ve always been medical, and I think that’s probably what started it, and I just enjoy helping people.”
After finding out he was successful for the scholarship, Shae said he was “over the moon” and shared that after saving the life of a young girl, this was his next proudest achievement.
“I get a lot of satisfaction from helping people. Doing medicine is a way for me to be able to provide that to people. Knowing that you’ve helped them is great.”
Shae is interested in exploring several pathways in medicine, including critical care and retrieval medicine, but with his father’s connection to the Torres Strait Islands he expressed interest in remote medicine. “We have an indigenous family, and indigenous health is a big thing for me. I do know that it’s a big area that needs to have more doctors in.”
