Applications to kick off a four-year post-graduate doctor degree in Dubbo next year are now open.
With 24 places available, this is the third intake of budding medical students at the University of Sydney’s School of Rural Health.
Helen Smith from Coonabarabran is one of the 47 students currently undertaking a Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Dubbo.
Ms Smith, a pharmacist, is passionate about rural health and has taken the opportunity to become a rural doctor without having to move to the city to study.
“I’m loving studying medicine in Dubbo at the Rural School of Health, it is such a supportive environment,” she told Dubbo Photo News.
“The social aspect is also fantastic; I’ve met so many amazing people who are always looking to help me out in any way they can.
“I’m so grateful to be here.”
Despite the regional proximity, the Dubbo stream receive the same world-class medical education as their peers in Sydney, but with the benefits of living and studying in a regional town with smaller class sizes and more face-to-face time with clinicians, tutors, and academic staff.
Students study in a brand new purpose-built facility that boasts a hospital simulation suite, training manikins, 3D modelling and virtual and augmented reality technology.
They also get real life clinical exposure in the newly redeveloped Dubbo Hospital, and experience with the Royal Flying Doctor Service South Eastern section (RFDSSSE).
Set to reach capacity with a total of 100 students by 2025, Associate Professor Annemiek Beverdam, MD Program Year 1 Coordinator, said she is excited to see the impact that the Dubbo stream will have on strengthening the health force in rural and regional Australia.
“We have been so encouraged to see a growing number of students from our local Western NSW region and a growing number of enquiries from prospective local students and health professionals looking to make the transition to becoming a doctor,” she said.
“There is also a strong focus on rural and Indigenous health, including placements in rural and remote NSW and a supportive medical community of local practitioners and specialists.”
To apply for the University of Sydney Doctor of Medicine – Dubbo Stream, visit www.sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/dubbo