Growing up on a dairy farm in the Gippsland region, Dr Ashleigh Delorenzo moved to the Mornington Peninsula where she studied and worked locally before deciding to pursue a career in medicine.
This year, Dr Delorenzo embarks on her 12-month medical internship at Peninsula Health, the final step before working as a clinical doctor. We asked Dr Delorenzo a few questions as she commences her internship year.
Q. What excites you most about completing your medical internship at Peninsula Health?
A. I completed all of my medical placement with Peninsula Health and I found the environment to be extremely supportive. What excites me most about completing my internship at Peninsula Health is the opportunity to work within a diverse and supportive community while developing the skills and confidence needed to become a well-rounded and safe doctor. Peninsula Health also offers a wide variety of rotations, which will allow me to explore different specialties and gain hands-on experience in a range of clinical settings.
Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?
A. I have always been passionate about caring for others, which initially led me to pursue a career in paramedicine, following in my sister’s footsteps. Working as a paramedic was an incredibly rewarding experience. However, during this time, I realised I wanted to deepen my knowledge, expand my skill set, and play a more comprehensive role in patient care. This desire for continuous learning and a broader scope of involvement ultimately inspired me to pursue a career in medicine.
Q. Do you have any goals for your internship?
A. My main goal for internship is to build a strong clinical foundation and develop the confidence and competence needed to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to patients. I hope to make the most of every rotation by seeking learning opportunities, asking questions, and actively seeking feedback to grow both professionally and personally.
Q. What do you believe to be some of the most pressing health issues today?
A. I believe one of the most pressing health issues today is the rise of chronic diseases. These are often influenced by lifestyle factors like diet, physical inactivity, and stress, which have become more prevalent in modern life. Addressing these conditions requires not only medical intervention but also preventive strategies and community-level changes. This is an area I’m particularly interested in exploring throughout my career, as I believe there’s significant potential to improve patient outcomes through education, early intervention, and tailored care strategies
Q. How do you see the future of healthcare?
A. The future of healthcare will likely be shaped by advancements in technology, with innovations like artificial intelligence, and telemedicine becoming increasingly central. Additionally, there’s a growing focus on preventative and holistic health. I foresee greater collaboration between healthcare providers, communities and governments to address the root cause of illness with a shift towards more integrated and patient-centered care models.
Q. What are your hobbies and interests outside of medicine?
A. I recently started playing golf about 12 months ago, which now fills most of my weekends. I’m also passionate about overall health and wellbeing, which I prioritise by staying active, spending time outdoors, and with friends and family.
Dr Ashleigh Delorenzo is one of 46 new medical interns who joined Peninsula Health on 6 January 2025. Read more.