Double dream: Twin sisters chase careers in medicine together at UniSQ

Born one minute apart, Toowoomba twins Rameen and Naveen Hoque are now taking the next big step together, beginning University of Southern Queensland’s (UniSQ) medicine pathway as they pursue a shared dream of becoming doctors.

Side by side in life and now in study, the fraternal twins may share the same goal, but their motivations for pursuing medicine were shaped by very different experiences.

Both sisters have enrolled in UniSQ’s Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Medicine Pathway), following in the footsteps of their older sister Saosan Hoque, who was part of the program’s inaugural 2023 intake and graduated last year. She is now studying a Doctor of Medicine at The University of Queensland’s Rural Clinical School in Toowoomba.

While Rameen’s passion was sparked by seeing disparities in healthcare access, Naveen’s inspiration came from her own experience as a patient.

“During my childhood, I experienced a health issue and was in and out of hospital for about a year,” Naveen said.

"At times, I felt dismissed and started losing hope, but when I came to Australia for treatment, I met a doctor who really listened to me and was able to provide the care I needed to return to my normal life.

“That experience inspired me to become a doctor who creates that same supportive environment for patients.”

For Rameen, the decision was driven by a desire to give back to the community.

“Growing up in a metropolitan city, I was used to how easy it was to access healthcare, which I now realise I took for granted,” she said.

“After speaking with people in Toowoomba and experiencing it myself, I noticed a sizeable gap in access to healthcare in some regional areas.

“It made me want to make a difference and help ensure accessibility is a right, not a privilege.”

The sisters, who grew up in the United Arab Emirates before moving to Toowoomba, completed their senior schooling at Centenary Heights State High School.

Despite their different personalities, they said studying the same degree together has been a major advantage.

“I think it’s a great advantage to be studying the same degree together,” Rameen said.

“We’ve always been each other’s study buddies and support system, from high school to now university.”

Naveen agreed, saying starting university side-by-side made the transition less daunting.

“Graduating high school and moving on to university was both scary and exciting, but having Rameen there was such a relief,” she said.

“It means a lot to be completing another chapter of our lives together and to be able to support her, just as she supported has always supported me.”

Their decision to study at UniSQ was strongly influenced by their older sister’s experience in the program.

“Listening to Saosan’s experiences really cemented my desire to study at UniSQ,” Rameen said.

“Hearing about her immersion in Roma and Dalby gave me a clearer picture of the healthcare gaps in South West and rural Queensland, and the strong sense of community in those towns.”

Now beginning their studies, both sisters are focused on the long journey ahead and the impact they hope to make.

UniSQ’s Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Medicine Pathway) has continued to grow since launching in 2023, building a strong pipeline of future doctors for regional, rural and remote Queensland.

Across its first four intakes, 91 students have joined the program, with enrolments increasing each year.

It is part of the Darling Downs South West Medical Pathway, a collaboration between UniSQ, The University of Queensland, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service and South West Hospital and Health Service.

The goal of the collaboration is to provide end to end medical training in the Darling Downs and South West Queensland regions to enhance the regional. Rural and remote medical workforce.