Community
22 March, 2024
New registrars welcomed to Camperdown
TWO new registrars have been welcomed into the Camperdown Clinic recently, bringing with them unique interests and skill sets that will expand the capacities of the clinic.
Katherine Penaloza and Jenita Kamania started at the clinic towards the end of February, with the pair both working part time.
Ms Penaloza, who works Mondays and Tuesdays, said she enjoyed the change of pace from the city.
“I don’t want to be in the city; I enjoy smaller communities more,” she said.
“I’m originally from Venezuela, South America. I’ve been in Australia for eight years now, and I got my first job in Warrnambool.
“I know the south west very well, and really enjoy living there; I knew Camperdown back then as well.
“I stayed there for almost two and a half years, and then moved to Geelong and was working in Geelong Hospital for two and a half years before finishing in February this year.”
Ms Penaloza lives in Geelong, and said the commute is “actually really convenient” as the clinic is just over an hour from her home.
“I also heard really good comments about the clinic from other doctors, and I applied and got the job,” she said.
“It’s been nice. I’m enjoying it.
“Everyone is really nice. I’m learning the computer system, because it’s all very different, and they’re really patient.
“I’m having fun and enjoying it.”
She said she plans on exploring the region and is looking forward to walking around the lakes.
“I want to explore more; I’m going to be doing weekends soon, and I’m going take that time to explore around Camperdown,” Ms Penaloza said.
“I’m going to go for walks to the lakes; I really like the outdoors, so I’ve got a good spot for that.”
Ms Kamania, who works Wednesdays and Thursdays, said she found the patients to be her favourite part of the job so far.
“Everybody’s lovely, everybody’s warm, everybody’s welcoming. I haven’t met a patient who hasn’t greeted me with a smile so far,” she said.
“I’d never been to Camperdown before, but when I did come and visit everyone was nice and warm.
“It has been a learning journey; it’s a steep curve, but I’m finding my feet now. Everybody has been very welcoming.”
Ms Kamania said she began her medical career as a women’s health doctor after graduating from University of Melbourne.
“I’ve practiced at the Sunshine Hospital, the Royal Women’s and, most recently, at the Geelong Hospital. I’ve changed career paths to GP, and now I’m here,” she said.
“I’m on the rural pathway for the GP training, and there’s only certain practices that I can apply to.
“Camperdown was one of them; just because of the commute to my house.
“I live in Point Cook currently, and just doing that part time work gives me that flexibility of travelling to and from.”
Ms Kamania said she found the change from hospital-based practice to general-based practice a challenge, but feels she is finding her feet in her new path.
“It is a challenge moving on from the hospital-based practice to your general-based practice clinic, where I have to wait for the blood test to come back and organise follow-ups rather than having same-day investigations,” she said.
Practice manager Jacquie Sayers said the clinic was “excited” to welcome Ms Penaloza and Ms Kamania, saying their different skill sets and interests were “awesome” for a small community.
“You really need that kind of holistic approach,” she said.
“Jenita’s got an interest in antenatal and women’s health, and Katherine’s interested in geriatric care as well.
“We’re really excited to have them; they’re both incredible women and we welcome them into the town and the clinic.”