Health Minister Brad Hazzard visited Blacktown Hospital to welcome the recruits, who are part of a record 1027 interns that will start work in NSW public hospitals this year.

“I want to congratulate Dr Pittman and her colleagues and wish them every success as they start their medical careers at this state of the art facility,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals have had a $700 million expansion and as a result, these JMOs will benefit from world class mentors in world class surroundings.

“Dr Pittman had many wins as an athlete but swapping her running spikes for a stethoscope is a win for patients, and I thank her and the entire JMO class of 2020.”

The NSW Government is investing $107 million in the internship program this year.

Since 2011, intern positions in NSW have increased by 257 or 33 per cent. Interns rotate through metropolitan, regional or rural hospitals, as well as General Practices.

NSW guarantees intern positions to all domestic medical graduates of NSW universities, and provides internships to many graduates from interstate universities.

Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals’ medical services director Brett Gardiner said Western Sydney Local Health District hospitals will welcome 130 interns this year.

“Our interns will have the opportunity to undertake roles in emergency, surgery and general medicine in a new hospital where the well-being of new recruits is a priority.”

Jana Pittman is a dual Olympian, two-time world champion and four-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist. She has spent the past seven years juggling three children, work and study and is ready to hit the hospital ground running.

“I loved my athletics career, representing Australia was gold, but I hope my future in medicine will be even better,” Ms Pittman said.