Larissa Passarello

B Med/B Surgery

Having already completed studies in philosophy, English, languages and psychology, Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery student Larissa Passarello says the word that best describes her is “multi-faceted”. “I have varied interests that can’t be satisfied by just one thing,” says Larissa who has been involved in netball, debating, piano, drama, science clubs, youth groups, volunteer work and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Studying medicine enables her to marry her dual interest in humanities and science, and also leads towards a career that “can have a direct impact on people’s lives”. Larissa is also attracted to the lifelong learning aspect of medicine.

“I was absolutely thrilled to get into medicine, but to get a uni scholarship was amazing,” says Larissa who received a UWS Academic Excellence Scholarship.

She is finding the clinical focus of the course a “pretty innovative way of learning” but also “lots of hard work, which is to be expected”.

Despite a hectic study schedule, Larissa is still making time for the things that are most important to her – her faith, music, and her family and friends. 

In fact, Larissa nominates her Dad as the best role model she has for a leader. “He is a school principal and I have seen at close hand how he demonstrates leadership qualities, what he sacrifices to do this, and the rewards he gains from being a community leader.” He puts his staff and students first, and continually works to make the school a better place, Larissa says. “There are kids from lots of different racial and religious backgrounds, and the way he integrates them is inspiring.” 

Teachers of disabled and autistic children also inspire Larissa, who did volunteer work at a local autistic school in 2007. “It was really inspiring to see the teachers working with the kids and to see the kids grasping and mastering simple life skills that we take for granted.” Larissa says there was a huge spectrum of autism severity and “it was a privilege to get a snapshot of the life of autistic children and their families”. 

Whilst Larissa says her friends would describe her as “whimsical and dreamy” and she herself says that decision making is not her forte, she has concrete plans for the next 10 years, which include working with children with disabilities. Obtaining a Fellowship in Paediatrics, contributing to medical literature and working with rural children in a protective health role, are also high on her priority list.