University of Otago Dunedin School of Medicine facts for kids
The Dunedin School of Medicine is a special part of the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. It's where students learn to become doctors.
After a tough first year studying health sciences, or if they join after another degree, students spend their second and third years here. This is called "Early Learning in Medicine" (ELM).
For their fourth, fifth, and sixth years (called "Advanced Learning in Medicine" or ALM), students can choose where to study. They can stay at the Dunedin School of Medicine. Or they can go to the University of Otago, Christchurch or the University of Otago, Wellington.
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History of the Medical School
The Otago Medical School first opened its doors in 1875. Back then, students only studied for two years in Dunedin. They finished their training overseas.
In 1887, the first doctor who had studied only at Otago graduated. By 1891, the medical school officially became the Faculty of Medicine. For a long time, training took only four years. But in 1920, it was extended to six years.
From 1924, students could finish their final year of training in other cities. These included Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, as well as Dunedin. Later, in 1938, special branch schools were set up in these other places.
Otago's connection with Auckland ended in 1968. This was when the University of Auckland School of Medicine opened. The branch schools in Christchurch and Wellington became "clinical" schools. This happened in 1973 and 1977. They are now known as the University of Otago, Christchurch and the University of Otago, Wellington.
First Women Graduates
Women were not allowed to study medicine until 1891. That year, Emily Siedeberg became the very first female medical student.
Between 1896 and 1924, 50 women graduated as doctors. By 1949, 200 women had completed their medical degrees. Here are some of the early women graduates:
- 1896: Emily Siedeberg
- 1897: Margaret Cruickshank
- 1900: Constance Frost, Daisy Platts-Mills, Alice Horsley
- 1903: Eleanor Baker McLaglan
- 1906: Ada Paterson
- 1916: Doris Gordon
- 1918: Marion King Bennie Cameron
- 1921: Moana Gow, Eva Hill, Sylvia Chapman
- 1922: Muriel Bell
- 1923: Eily Elaine Gurr, Kathleen Todd
- 1924: Mary Champtaloup
- 1925: Cecily Pickerill, Helen Deem
- 1926: Nina Muir, Theodora Hall
- 1929: Kathleen Pih–Chang
What is the Dunedin School of Medicine?
The Dunedin School of Medicine is one of eight main parts of the University of Otago's Health Sciences Division. This division focuses on all kinds of health-related studies.
Other schools and faculties in this division include:
- The Otago Medical School (where the main medical program is taught)
- The School of Biomedical Sciences
- The Faculty of Dentistry
- The School of Pharmacy
- The School of Physiotherapy
- The University of Otago, Christchurch
- The University of Otago, Wellington
Departments at the School
The Dunedin School of Medicine has eight academic departments. These are like different teams that focus on specific areas of medicine. They include:
- Bioethics (studying right and wrong in medicine)
- General Practice and Rural Health (doctors in local communities)
- Medicine (general medical care)
- Pathology (studying diseases)
- Preventive and Social Medicine (keeping people healthy)
- Psychological Medicine (mental health)
- Surgical Sciences (operations)
- Women's and Children's Health (care for mothers and kids)
Most of these departments have smaller groups or units within them. There is also an administrative department called the Dean's Department.
Buildings of the School
Most of the Dunedin Medical School is located in a group of buildings. These are southwest of the main University of Otago Campus. They are near the Dunedin Hospital. The area is bordered by George Street, Hanover Street, Cumberland Street, and Frederick Street.
Key buildings include:
- The Hercus Building (for the Department of Pathology)
- The Adams Building (for the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine)
- The Fraser Building (for the Department of Psychological Medicine)
Other parts of the school are inside Dunedin Hospital itself. This includes the Colquhoun and Barnett lecture theatres. Also, the Dean's Department and the Departments of Medicine, Surgical Sciences, and Women's and Children's Health are there. The Department of General Practice and Rural Health is at 55 Hanover Street. The Bioethics Centre is at 71 Frederick St.
Close to the heart of the school are the Scott and Lindo Ferguson Buildings. These are important historic buildings. The Scott Building was built during World War I. It is now used by the School of Biomedical Sciences. The impressive Lindo Ferguson Building was built in 1927. It is made of Oamaru Stone and brick. It is also used by the School of Biomedical Sciences. It was named after Sir Lindo Ferguson, who was the Dean of the Otago Medical School from 1914 to 1937.
