Dinesh Palipana
Dr. Dinesh Palipana | |
---|---|
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Born |
1984 (age 33–34) Kandy, Sri Lanka |
Residence | Gold Coast, Australia |
Nationality | Australian |
Alma mater | |
Occupation | Doctor |
Dinesh Palipana (born 1984) is an Australian doctor, legal professional and disability advocate. He is the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland, Australia.[1][2][3][4] He is the second person with quadriplegia to graduate as a doctor in Australia and the first with spinal cord injury.[5]
Palipana has been an advocate for medical students with disabilities in Australia, where significant barriers exist.[6][7]
Career
Dinesh Palipana obtained a degree in law from the Queensland University of Technology.[8] He then commenced a Doctor of Medicine at the Griffith University, graduating in 2016 as the first quadriplegic medical graduate in the state of Queensland, the second in Australia. He graduated with several awards[9] and was featured in the Griffith University video Dinesh Palipana is remarkable.[10] He completed a medical clerkship at Harvard Medical School.[11] Palipana holds the title of associate lecturer at Griffith University.[12]
Following a spinal cord injury, Palipana found adapted ways to be trained as a quadriplegic doctor in partnership with Griffith University and the Gold Coast University Hospital.[13] This was a previously unaccomplished feat in Queensland. He has consequently openly advocated for training medical students with disabilities in Australia.[14]
Despite spending two years in clinical training as a medical student at the Gold Coast University Hospital, Palipana faced challenges in securing initial employment in his home state of Queensland under Queensland Health.[15][16] At one point, he was the only Queensland medical graduate without an employment offer for the year 2016 despite testaments to his ability.[17]
He was eventually employed by the Gold Coast University Hospital to become Queensland's first quadriplegic intern.[18] He has worked in the emergency department[19] at the hospital, the second busiest department in Australia in 2017.[20][21] He was nominated for an Intern of the Year award at the Gold Coast University Hospital in 2017.[22]
With an interest in radiology,[23] he is a contributor on Radiopaedia, a radiology education portal designed for medical professionals.[24]
Injury
During medical school, Palipana was involved in a car accident causing a spinal cord injury and quadriplegia.[25][26] He was 25 years old at the time.[27] The 2010 motor vehicle accident occurred on Brisbane's Gateway Motorway.[28] A physician attending the accident scene with emergency services had taught Palipana during medical school.[29] During his recuperation, Palipana experienced complications that included sepsis and pleural effusion.[30]
Palipana subsequently spent seven months at a spinal injuries unit in the Princess Alexandra Hospital.[31][32] He met the boxer Joe Frazier during his admission in hospital.[33]
Advocacy
While recuperating from his injury, Palipana spent some time in Sri Lanka.[34] During that time, he was noted for raising awareness[35] and funding[36] for spinal cord injury in the country. In 2013, he gifted a stock of medical supplies for spinal cord injury to the now President Maithripala Sirisena.[37] Palipana sits on the council of the Sri Lanka Spinal Cord Network.[38]
In 2015, the Medical Deans of Australia and New Zealand issued a set of guidelines providing Australian medical schools the power to exclude students with a range of disabilities.[39] The guidelines can potentially be used exclude medical students with similar conditions to Palipana. By using his story as an example, Palipana has been a vocal advocate for taking an inclusive approach to medical education in the country instead.[40][41][42] Palipana has been using his story to demonstrate ways in which doctors[43], and the wider population[44][45][46], can work effectively with disabilities. In 2018, he was a keynote speaker at Stanford Medicine X at Stanford University on the topic.[47][48]
He is a founding member of Doctors with Disabilities Australia, an advocacy group for physicians with disabilities.[49][50] Palipana is a member of the Ambassador Council at the Hopkins Centre, a centre for research in rehabilitation and resilience.[51][52] He was a member of the Australian Medical Association Queensland’s Council of Doctors in Training in 2017.[53]
Research
Palipana has interests in spinal cord injury research.[54][55][56][57][58]He attributes this passion to his own injury. Palipana is a member of the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation’s scientific committee.[59]
Palipana's interest includes non-invasive interventions to promote functional improvement in spinal cord injury.[60][61] He has been encouraged by a mentor at Harvard University, where he was one of the first visiting medical students of this nature.[62]
Palipana also has research interests in radiology.[63]
Personal life
Palipana was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka to Chithrani and Sanath Palipana. He grew up in Byron Bay and Brisbane, Australia.[64] Palipana attributes much of his success to the support of his mother.[65][66][67]
Palipana's story was featured on the popular ABC radio show Conversations with Richard Fidler[68], the ABC television show Australian Story[69], and Today[70]. He has spoken at various events alongside speakers such as Deng Thiak Adut[71], regarding his experiences.[72][73][74]
Awards
Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Dinesh Palipana | Pride of Australia | Nominated[75] |
References
- ↑ "Graduate becomes Queensland's first quadriplegic medical intern". ABC News. 2017-01-09. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Gold Coast Bulletin". www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Dr Dinesh Palipana becomes the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland". SBS Your Language. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Respecting patients and keeping them safe: ten tips for quality care". Croakey. 2017-01-16. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Dr Dinesh Palipana: A True Story of Inspiration – Pulse". Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ Perkins, Miki (2016-11-21). "'They are underestimating me': aspiring doctor claims disability bias". The Age. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Article - Pathways 13: Inherent requirements: working towards graduating a student with quadriplegia from the Doctor of Medicine - ADCET". www.adcet.edu.au. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "My Family - Dinesh Palipana". ABC Brisbane. 2016-05-25. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Quadriplegic medical graduate fears unemployment". ABC News. 2016-12-21. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ Griffith University (2016-12-22), Dinesh Palipana is remarkable, retrieved 2017-02-18
- ↑ "He reached the unreachable star | The Sunday Times Sri Lanka". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Dr Dinesh Palipana". www.griffith.edu.au. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ "Quadriplegic medical graduate fears unemployment". ABC News. 2016-12-21. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "GUMS | AMSA Council 1 Report". gums.org.au. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Quadriplegic medical graduate fears unemployment". ABC News. 2016-12-21. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "'It's definitely because of the injury'". Gold Coast Bulletin. 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "'It's definitely because of the injury'". Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Gold Coast Bulletin". www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Dinesh Palipana is Queensland's first quadriplegic doctor". www.9news.com.au. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
- ↑ "The Power of Passion for the Profession - Medical Indemnity Insurance and Medico-legal Support Australia wide". studentenews.mdanational.com.au. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ "Why Gold Coast hospitals are busier". Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ "Good news wrap: The stories that made us smile this week". www.radioaustralia.net.au. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
- ↑ "Quadriplegia is no barrier to a medical career". Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Dr Dinesh Palipana | User | Radiopaedia.org". radiopaedia.org. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "My Family - Dinesh Palipana". ABC Brisbane. 2016-05-25. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ Editorial (2017-01-06). "Dr Dinesh Palipana: A True Story of Inspiration | Pulse". Pulse. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ "Car crash victim becomes Queensland's first quadriplegic doctor". Mail Online. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
- ↑ "'I might be quadriplegic, but I'm your doctor'". ABC News. 2018-02-26. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
- ↑ "Disability won't stop Dinesh from becoming a Doctor - Northcott". northcott.com.au. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "MIGA - Meet Australia's second quadriplegic medical intern". www.miga.com.au. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ "Doctor dream strong for quadriplegic man". news. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "How It Feels to Be Told You'll Never Walk Again - VICE". Vice. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Gold Coast Bulletin". www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Doctor dream strong for quadriplegic man". news. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Health Wise". archives.sundayobserver.lk. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Can We Help Spinal Cord Injury Patients?". Indiegogo. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Spinal Injury Patient Gifts Medical Requirement". 2013-10-08.
- ↑ "The Council". slspinalcord.org. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Inherent Requirements for Studying Medicine in Australia and New Zealand « Medical Deans Australia & New Zealand". www.medicaldeans.org.au. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ Perkins, Miki (2016-11-21). "'They are underestimating me': aspiring doctor claims disability bias". The Age. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "Video - Pathways 13: Inherent Requirements combined sessions - ADCET". www.adcet.edu.au. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "GUMS | AMSA Council 1 Report". gums.org.au. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "ANZPMEF 2017 Conference" (PDF).
- ↑ EPIC Assist (2017-05-17), Dr Dinesh Palipana - "I don't like the word disability.", retrieved 2018-01-31
- ↑ "Dinesh Palipana's story | All Abilities". www.allabilities.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
- ↑ Health, Gold Coast (2017-11-14), Diversity and Inclusion, retrieved 2018-01-31
- ↑ "Stanford Medicine X | ED returns to the stage this weekend - Scope". Scope. 2018-04-27. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
- ↑ "Medicine X | ED 2018". medicinex.stanford.edu. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
- ↑ "The Team | DWDA". dwda.org.au. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ "Avant - Doctors with Disabilities Australia". www.avant.org.au. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
- ↑ "VIC-TAS Regional Conference 2018". Cvent. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
- ↑ www.nbm.com.au, New Business Media -. "The Hopkins Centre". Hopkins Centre. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
- ↑ "VIC-TAS Regional Conference 2018". Cvent. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
- ↑ "Medical student's dream to cure himself". Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "'Not impossible anymore': Robotic suits used to teach paralysed to walk again". Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "New hope for paraplegics". Retrieved 2018-01-31.
- ↑ "He's not sitting around waiting for something to happen. – Stand on the shoulders of giants". www.standontheshouldersofgiants.com.au. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
- ↑ "A Commonwealth of talent at Health and Knowledge Precinct - We Are Gold Coast". We Are Gold Coast. 2018-03-31. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
- ↑ "Dr Dinesh Palipana · people · Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation". www.pcsrf.org.au. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
- ↑ SCIMEX. "'Thought control' approach to spinal injury rehab raises new hope". www.scimex.org. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
- ↑ "Gold Coast quadriplegic doctor to test a world first rehab program - myGC.com.au". myGC.com.au. 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
- ↑ "Medical student's dream to cure himself". Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "RANZCR 2016 Program" (PDF).
- ↑ "He reached the unreachable star | The Sunday Times Sri Lanka". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ "My Family - Dinesh Palipana". ABC Brisbane. 2016-05-25. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
- ↑ The determination of Dr Dinesh Palipana, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2017-02-03, retrieved 2017-02-18
- ↑ "How It Feels to Be Told You'll Never Walk Again". Vice. 2017-01-24. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ The determination of Dr Dinesh Palipana, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2017-02-03, retrieved 2017-02-18
- ↑ The Man in Bed 10, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2018-02-21, retrieved 2018-03-15
- ↑ "Dinesh Palipana is Queensland's first quadriplegic doctor". www.9news.com.au. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
- ↑ "HACK T2 - Griffith Student Guild". Griffith Student Guild. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ "Faculty Scholars Program". www.newcastle.edu.au. 2014-08-18. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ Association, Australian Medical Students. "AMSA Convention | Academics". convention.sydney. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ "AMAG 2017 speakers". Asian Mensa Annual Gathering AMAG 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ "Pride of Australia nomination for quadriplegic doctor Dinesh Palipana who works at Gold Coast University Hospital". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2018-01-31.