Dr Carlin White

Master of Occupational and Environmental Health

Dr Carlin White decided to undertake a Master of Occupational and Environmental Health (MOEH) via coursework with us after talking to colleagues working in the field, and hearing positive reviews about the Monash degree. A trained GP based in Launceston, he knew that Tasmania had a need for occupational health physicians.

He says, "I wanted a change from GP work, and I decided on the Monash course in part because Melbourne is obviously the easiest mainland city to get to, which was important for me with a young family, and also a few people I talked to had done it and enjoyed it."

Carlin continued his GP work in Launceston throughout his degree, studying online and flying in and out of Melbourne for block day sessions, which were an opportunity to meet fellow students, network and immerse himself in the theory and practice of the field.

"I really enjoyed the block days, it was a shame that the pandemic disrupted them, but I have to say the teaching staff responded to the frequent changes of learning mode caused by lockdowns extremely well."

Through his coursework degree, Carlin learned new skills including biostatistics and research methodologies, managerial techniques, and relevant knowledge around chemical and heat exposures, risk assessment, and workplace accidents. He also walked away with the 2021 School’s Student Excellence Award for the MOEH course.

"It really increased my confidence in the assessments I need to make, and also in communicating in fraught situations. In this field you are often dealing with a variety of people in high-stress situations: injured workers and their families, business representatives who are worried about being sued, lawyers and representatives from insurers and government safe work agencies.

"Sometimes I’m dealing with injured workers, other times I’m advising workplaces on how to prevent injuries, and other times I’m helping lawyers understand the clinical ramifications of a workplace injury, to assist with compensation claims. The course has really set me up for what’s proving to be an interesting and varied career here in Tasmania."

Since graduation, Carlin has taken over an Occupational Medicine business in Tasmania, that provides services to the North, North West and South of the state. Professionally, he's engaged in injury management, Medicolegal Assessments and injury prevention programmes, covering primary production, transport, mining, manufacturing and emergency services.

He's also using the skills developed with Monash in a broader context, volunteering in a medical management capacity for his local Orienteering club and Football club, both in acute injury management and broader conceptual policy development.

Find out more about our Master of Occupational and Environmental Health.