TPCH medical interns have care in common
Dr Dave Tyquin previously worked as an accountant but had always wanted to do medicine.
What do a physiotherapist, podiatrist, teacher, pathology technician and accountant have in common?
They are some of the 53 new medical interns who started their medical careers at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) this month.
The 2026 intern cohort is a diverse group, with a range of previous roles across the sector completing medical degrees from a range of universities from James Cook University and Bond University to The University of Queensland.
The interns will spend the year rotating through key clinical areas at the hospital before they become eligible for general registration as a doctor in Australia.
Dr Dave Tyquin (right) previously worked as an accountant but had always wanted to do medicine.
He was working in Sydney when COVID-19 hit, which gave him time to study and sit the GAMSAT entry exam to medicine. Fast forward a few years and he’s now an important part of the team helping patients at TPCH.
“I like people and wanted to do something that had more of an emotional response at the end of the day,” Dr Tyquin said.
From left to right:
• Dr Kirti Smith – previously worked as a teacher, as well as leadership development and mental health, policy, procedures and assisting refugees.
• Dr Karl Harm previously worked as a physiotherapist in private practice.
• Dr Chloe Moultrie was a pathology technician and researcher. She chose a career in medicine because it put her in the front line with patients.
• Dr Lachlan Grigg was also a physiotherapist.
• Dr Katharina Gutjahr previously worked for the Metro North Public Health Unit as an Environmental Health Officer.
• Dr Dhairya Vayada was an IT programmer.
• Dr Shaun Lee was a podiatrist but found his passion in medicine soon after working with patients in a hospital.
Each intern brings a rich range of skills, perspectives and life experience to their medical career and diversity is celebrated at The Prince Charles Hospital.
Dr Karl Harm was a physiotherapist in private practice but the opportunity to work holistically with patients attracted him to a career in medicine. He said the hospital’s great culture while he was on-site as a student was behind his decision to apply to work at TPCH.
“As a physio, I was part of the patient’s journey but medicine allows me to work in a different way with all members of the team,” Dr Harm said.
Dr Katharina Gutjahr previously worked for the Metro North Public Health Unit as an Environmental Health Officer. She saw first-hand how doctors were responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, which inspired her to pursue a medical career.
“My work with the public health unit provided a broad perspective on the health system but I wanted to directly interact with the patients and provide patient care,” Dr Gutjahr said.
Dr Shaun Lee found his passion in medicine soon after working with patients in a hospital as a podiatrist.
“I had always dreamed of becoming a doctor and during a podiatry placement in a hospital I knew straight away I wanted to do medicine. I’m happy to finally be here at TPCH,” he said.