Medical students studying on Tasmania’s North-West Coast were recently welcomed to the region.
The Rural Clinical School (RCS) hosted a community event at Cradle Coast Campus in Burnie to celebrate the arrival of medical students to the North-West to study Medicine.
The evening showcased the advantages of living, working, and studying on the Coast, with representatives from the community, health sector and government attending to welcome the students.
The RCS is part of the University’s Tasmanian School of Medicine (TSoM).
Professor Ruth Kearon, Head of the TSoM, welcomed new and returning medicine students to the Rural Clinical School.
“This welcome event this year was especially exciting as for the first time we have first-year medicine students starting their medical training on the Coast,” she said.
“Being able to start and finish a medical degree on the North-West Coast increases opportunities for people from local communities to pursue a career in medicine, without needing to leave.
“The expansion of the program also helps support future workforce needs across the North-West and West coasts of Tasmania, and the University will continue to work with local communities to help build training pathways for doctors in the region.”
RCS Director Professor Lizzi Shires said the event has been held annually for the past 17 years, recognising its importance in making students feel welcome and helping them settle on the Coast.
“The RCS is excited to be welcoming 93 new and returning medical students to the North-West. This is the first year we have new Year 1 and Year 3 students on the Coast as part of our full degree program,” Dr Shires said.
“Students had the opportunity to meet community groups and find out about the region’s culture and activities.
“They met local health professionals and many of our alumni who are furthering their postgraduate by training locally as doctors.
“Over the next year, our students will be working in our communities to develop their medical skills and knowledge and work in community-based programs.
“The event is a celebration of all that the North-West Coast has to offers, showcasing to our students the many rewarding aspects of where a rural health career can take them.”
The recipients of two local scholarships were also announced and celebrated.
The Simon Monks Memorial Scholarship in Medicine was awarded to Zarli Neilson. The scholarship is in memory of local GP Simon Monks and has been established in recognition of the valuable contribution that Dr Monks made to the profession of general practice and community health on the North-West Coast. The scholarship also promotes the education of general practice, allied health and primary care professionals in the region.
Luke Issom was awarded the Prof Dennis Pashen Rural Medicine Scholarship in memory of Prof Dennis Pashen. The scholarship was established by the RCS as Dennis was a loved mentor and supervisor of many rural medical students and junior doctors across Tasmania and Australia.