From a young age, I was drawn to a career that combined science with meaningful service, especially in communities with limited access to healthcare.

When I was in Year 4, my father developed severe vision loss due to complications from uncontrolled diabetes, ultimately becoming completely blind in his left eye and retaining only around 20% vision in his right. I witnessed first-hand the profound impact that preventable health issues can have on a person and their family. I accompanied my parents to every appointment at Sydney Eye Hospital. This experience sparked my curiosity in medicine, which ultimately grew into a deep passion as I developed a strong interest in science throughout high school.

As I prepare to undertake my 4th and 5th year in Lismore, I am so excited to immerse myself in a rural environment and gain hands-on experience in patient care. Preventable diseases, such as diabetes-related complications, are more prevalent in rural and remote communities, and I look forward to placements in my final year (such as GP and Indigenous Health) where I can learn strategies to address these issues within the community.

I also have a strong interest in general surgery, and through conversations with surgeons during my placements, I have seen that rural hospitals offer excellent training and hands-on experience for aspiring surgeons. I can clearly envision myself practicing in rural communities in the future.   I have been working since Year 10 in retail and have maintained this throughout my MD studies. In my first year, I also took on a second job to contribute more to household expenses. The Australian Rotary Health Rural Medical Scholarship would provide vital financial support as I move to Lismore, allowing me to focus fully on my studies, clinical
training, and community engagement, without the added stress of finances alongside my placement.

Although I have been saving diligently and plan to take on additional shifts over the summer, this scholarship would relieve much of the financial pressure and allow me to focus fully on my clinical placements and learning from the unique challenges of rural health. It would ensure that I can immerse myself completely in the experience and make the most of every opportunity in Lismore. In return, I hope to contribute to the community through outreach and patient education initiatives that promote early detection and prevention of chronic disease as well as active engagement with the local Rotary Club.

Ultimately, by easing financial pressures and supporting community involvement, this scholarship would allow me to fully embrace every learning opportunity in Lismore and make the most of my rural clinical school experience.

Completing my medical school placements in the Northern Rivers this year has been a highly rewarding experience. I started the year on my Mental Health rotation, gaining insight into the specific needs and unique challenges of rural communities in accessing and coordinating healthcare, as well as the ongoing effects of the 2022 floods on the local community. I particularly enjoyed seeing the strong sense of community that exists in the region, including when one of the local Rotary clubs hosted a BBQ for the mental health ward.

I also completed my Paediatrics rotation this year, which I found to be extremely enjoyable. The rotation provided exposure to a broad range of healthcare settings, including inpatient hospital care, outpatient clinics, community services, and schools for children with special needs. This really made me appreciate the breadth of services needed to meet the healthcare needs of children and families in a rural setting.

The support provided by this scholarship has been invaluable throughout the year, allowing me to fully engage with my full-time, unpaid placement roster, which included regular evening and weekend shifts, without the additional pressure of needing to balance placement with employment.

Outside of placement, I was able to explore the Northern Rivers and become part of the local community. With friends, I explored the beautiful beaches and waterfalls, visited local markets and community events, and even attended my first rodeo! These experiences have allowed me to appreciate not only the natural beauty of this region, but also the strong community spirit.

Overall, my experiences this year have given me valuable insight into the healthcare needs and unique challenges faced by rural communities. My time in the Northern Rivers has encouraged me to consider how I can incorporate rural healthcare into my future practice. I look forward to continuing my rural clinical experience next year and exploring how I can contribute to rural healthcare throughout my future career.