Past winners of the Young Doctors Essay Competition

Winner: Marysia Crisafio, Mercedes College

Marysia's winning essay navigates the complex ethical landscape of organ transplantation, weaving together scientific, philosophical, and ethical considerations. Her essay adeptly explores the concept of the common good and offers a nuanced analysis of the three patients. By challenging the dichotomy of self-inflicted versus random illnesses, Marysia engages readers in a thought-provoking exploration of morality in medical decision-making.

Notably, the essay displays a nuanced understanding of addiction, empathetically considering the challenges faced by candidate John. The insightful exploration of the infant patient, Emma, further demonstrates Marysia's keen awareness of the ethical dimensions surrounding consciousness. Her essay concludes with a strong call to action, advocating for organ donation and societal changes to address the broader issues raised. The depth of research, clarity of argument, and ethical considerations make Marysia's essay a standout.

Runner-up: Spandan Kankumbkar, Perth Modern School

Spandan's runner-up essay shines in its application of the four pillars of medical ethics to the heart transplant dilemma. Demonstrating a keen understanding of autonomy, justice, beneficence, and non-maleficence, the essay provides a comprehensive analysis of each patient's situation. By incorporating recent ethical principles for allocating care, particularly on justice and non-maleficence as the guiding values, Spandan's demonstrates a contemporary perspective.

Her evaluation of individual cases is thorough and insightful, particularly when acknowledging the complexities of John's addiction without veering into dogmatism. The essay excels in balancing the ethical principles with the practicalities of medical decision-making. It's a commendable piece that displays a sophisticated grasp of medical ethics.

Both Marysia’s and Spandan’s essays demonstrate a commendable understanding of the subject matter, an ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, as well as exemplify the qualities we seek to cultivate in future medical professionals through the Young Doctors Essay Competition. In addition to knowledge, Marysia’s and Spandan’s essays stand out in their genuine commitment to the characteristics essential for doctors: honesty, compassion, and the ability to navigate complex medical cases.  This, in turn, aligns seamlessly with the mission of the Young Doctors' Essay Competition. The rigorous evaluation by our panel of judges, comprised of senior academics from leading institutions, including the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science and Hebei University Hospitals, ensures that these essays contribute significantly to enriching the medical discourse and preparing the next generation of doctors.

Kindly sponsored by:

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Rotary Club of Fremantle for their invaluable support of the Young Doctors Essay Competition. With a rich history of both local and global community service, Rotary Fremantle exemplifies Service Above Self, empowering the next generation of medical professionals in Western Australia. Their generous contribution empowers the Young Doctors Essay Competition to nurture students’ intellectual growth and to realise their potential to shape the future of medicine.
For decades, Rotary Fremantle has been a pillar of positive change, from local initiatives like the Give a Damn, Give a Can food drive, which provides essential resources to underprivileged communities, to global efforts like ShelterBox, which offering critical disaster relief worldwide.
We are very thankful for the Rotary Club of Fremantle's invaluable support in bringing the Young Doctors Essay Competition to life.