Rural health initiative

20 March 2007
University of Sydney students Katie Willis and Natalie Purcell have been named as the beneficiaries of a new scholarship program aimed at encourage medical students to consider practising in rural Australia.

The new Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (ARHRF) has awarded 25 scholarships worth $5,000 to students currently undertaking a Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at one of the Australian Government's 13 Rural Clinical Schools.

Katie is a third year student currently studying at Broken Hill who is due to move to Dubbo as part of the scholarship scheme. Katie has a Bachelor's degre in applied Sciences specialising in physiotherapy.

Natalie is also a third year student and is going to Orange as part of the scheme; she has already worked at the University's Garvan Institute as part of the Pancreatic Health Research Group.

Acting Associate Dean at the University's School of Rural Health, Associate Professor Joe Canalese said: 'the unique aspect of this scholarship program is the way in which it encourages links between the students and the local community made through the Rotary Club.

"This will enable them to gain a true picture of what the local community can offer them and even their families and partners, which will hopefully encourage them to pursue a medical career in a rural area after they've graduated or finished postgraduate studies," said Professor Canalese.

Contact: Jake O'Shaughnessy
Phone: +61 2 9351 4312 or 0421 617 861