Your support helps shape the next generation of health professionals

“Clifford Craig really set me up and enabled me to get into medical school.”

Dr Alice Harper

Thanks to the generous support of donors and sponsors, the Clifford Craig Foundation is proud to facilitate an important research program that contributes to providing the people of North and North-West Tasmania with the best possible healthcare.

This includes funding for research scholarships, aimed at assisting health professionals in Tasmania to undertake further education in their field of medicine.

We wanted to provide you with an exciting update on one such recipient – Alice Harper – who recently graduated with a Doctor of Medicine (MD).

It signifies the end of an eight-year-educational journey for Alice and the start of an exciting new career in medicine – something she says wouldn’t have happened without the support of the Foundation.

Alice was awarded a $7,500 Honours Scholarship in 2018, while completing a Bachelor of Biotechnology and Medical Research through the University of Tasmania.

Alice’s Honours project was titled: Heterologous effect of diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis vaccination on influenza vaccine challenge in the elderly.

The scholarship meant Alice could complete her Honours studies at the Launceston General Hospital, under the supervision of Professor Katie Flanagan and Dr Kath Ogden.

Based in the Clifford Craig Foundation office, Alice soon became an integral part of the Foundation team, assisting on numerous research projects – including Professor Flanagan’s VITAL trial.

“It was such a wonderful experience, to be immersed in the world of medical research in such a supportive environment,” Alice said.

“Through the scholarship I was also able to complete a phlebotomy (blood drawing) course, so I could actively participate in the research with participants who were coming in for trials.

“Clifford Craig really set me up and enabled me to get into medical school.”

Alice graduated with First Class Honours (the highest possible grade) and in 2020 commenced a postgraduate medical program through the University of Wollongong.

She is now completing her final placement at Lismore Base Hospital in NSW, but says she can’t wait to come back and work at the Launceston General Hospital.

“Tasmania is my home – I grew up here,” she said.

“My long-term plan is to come back and work at the LGH, and I have Clifford Craig to thank for that.”