The next generation of doctors have begun their medical careers as the inaugural cohort of the Darling Downs – South West Medical Pathway at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ).
In all, 22 students were selected to undertake UniSQ’s first intake of the new Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Medicine Pathway).
Graduates of the program are eligible to move directly into the University of Queensland’s Doctor of Medicine at the UQ Rural Clinical School Toowoomba as part of a collaboration between the universities and health services.
One student is Georgia Betts, who relocated from Brisbane to Toowoomba to study the medicine pathway.
“I finished Year 12 in Brisbane last year, but I grew up in Parkes in NSW and I have always wanted to go back to the country,” she said.
“When my careers counsellor at school told me about this opportunity, I thought it was the perfect scenario for me because it was the medicine program I wanted to do, but it was in a regional area that would help me pursue my career in rural health after I graduate.”
For Jiayong Jiang, who completed Year 12 at St Ursula’s College in Toowoomba, it was an opportunity to pursue her medical dream while living at home.
“I have always wanted to study medicine and I have always wanted to practise rurally,” Jiayong said.
“When I heard about this pathway, I was really excited to be able to stay in Toowoomba with my family but also know I was on a path to contribute to rural health in my future.”
Darling Downs Health Board chair Mike Horan AM said the pathway allowed university students to complete their undergraduate and postgraduate studies and clinical training in the region.
He said Darling Downs Health and South West Hospital and Health Service would provide student placements, internships and specialist training.
“I’d like to welcome the first cohort of students participating in the Darling Downs and South West regional medicine pathway,” Mr Horan said.
“Our local regions are home to some of the most remarkable medical professionals arguably in Australia, which makes us excited for the next generation to come through.
“This milestone marks the first of many cohorts building a medical workforce of not just skilled clinicians, but community leaders, innovators and doctors our towns can rely on.
“The Medicine Pathway is an evidence-based workforce strategy designed to improve health outcomes in regional, rural and remote Queensland.
“It will increase capacity in our rural medical workforce, as well as provide opportunities for local students to study medicine close to home.“
At the inaugural welcome event last month, new students were presented with a stethoscope the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation donated.
Groom MP Garth Hamilton and Toowoomba Hospital Foundation CEO Alison Kennedy presented the stethoscopes as many friends, family and collaboration representatives watched on.
