The Real Deal

Four Young Doctors from Adelaide were given an unforgettable opportunity to step inside the world of modern medicine as they spent the day “shadowing” senior surgeon Dr Nick Reiger at Calvary Hospital.

The experience gave the young participants rare firsthand insight into the realities of working in a hospital environment and the many roles involved in patient care. Throughout the day, the Young Doctors followed Dr Nick and his team as they moved through different clinical areas, meeting patients and learning about hospital procedures and medical practice.

One particularly memorable moment involved meeting a new mother and her baby just two hours after a Caesarean section delivery. The experience gave the students a powerful understanding of the care, professionalism, and teamwork involved in supporting patients and families during important life moments.

The learning continued inside a fully equipped operating theatre, where the Young Doctors were taught how surgical teams prepare for procedures. After fully “scrubbing up” in theatre gear, they took part in a mock surgery exercise led by Dr Nick and hospital staff. Each student stepped into different medical roles, including anaesthetists, nurses, and surgeons, gaining insight into how every member of the surgical team works together to deliver safe patient care.

The day also included practical medical training sessions where the students learned how skin cancer procedures are performed. Under supervision, they were introduced to medical tools including needles and scalpels before practising how to suture wounds using professional training equipment.

For the Young Doctors, the experience was both inspiring and eye-opening, providing valuable exposure to health careers, medical environments, and the pathways available in medicine and healthcare.

Experiences like these are a key part of the Young Doctors for Life program, helping young people build confidence, expand their aspirations, and connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities in health and leadership.

A huge thank you to Dr Nick Reiger and the incredible Calvary Hospital team for generously sharing their time, knowledge, and passion with the next generation of young leaders.