I am excited for the opportunity to apply for the Australian Rotary Health Rural Health Scholarship. I believe this Scholarship will support me during my studies at Western Sydney University’s Bathurst Clinical School.

About Me
Having completed my primary and secondary schooling in Dubbo, I witnessed the challenges that rural communities face in accessing timely and specialised healthcare. My experiences in Dubbo have inspired me to strive towards improving healthcare services and workforce expansion in rural and remote areas which is why I have chosen Bathurst Clinical School.

I currently work as a medical transcriptionist, and NDIS support worker to cover my daily living expenses and costs associated with my medical program. I attend placement at Blacktown hospital and am a proactive medical student who always seeks opportunities to contribute. During surgical rotations, I frequently assisted with the outpatient clinics late into the afternoon, enjoying the clinical aspect of investigating health concerns, physically assessing injuries, and developing management plans with my doctors. I loved connecting with patients and understanding the circumstances that brought them to the hospital. In my medical terms, I actively helped with clinical skills like cannulations, blood drawings, histories, and exams. These experiences encourage me to become an even better medical student and solidify my passion for this practice.

Beyond clinical duties, I am passionate about contributing to my community. I help to provide basic health checks at the Royal Bathurst Show, as well as the Bathurst races. During these events, I speak with attendees about their healthcare experiences, where they share insights into managing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, including the symptoms they experience and how well they are managed. Many also discuss challenges related to lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation and weight management. These conversations highlight real-world health issues and strengthen my commitment to serving communities like Bathurst in the future.

The scholarship would assist my studies by helping alleviate the financial pressures associated with daily living and clinical placements. I would subsequently be capable of dedicating more time and energy to my studies and clinical placements.

I am eager to participate in community health initiatives, workshops, training sessions, and conference that focus on rural healthcare. This scholarship would help cover the associated costs, allowing me to engage in these valuable learning experiences without the need to work. With this extra time, I would
be able to focus on my studies, enhance my clinical skills, and build meaningful connections.

Additionally, this scholarship would help me acquire essential tools to expand my clinical knowledge such as medical equipment, textbooks, and online learning resources.