Gippsland medical students join Victorian Rural Generalist Program Committee
Two Monash medical students from Gippsland have strengthened their commitment to future rural practice, by taking on roles with the Victorian Rural Generalist Program (VRGP) regional network committee locally.
Final year medical students, Rachel Sultana and Noah Pallot, were both thrilled to be invited to join the committee and be able to contribute to the Victorian Rural Generalist Program.
The VRGP is an end-to-end training program for the rural generalist workforce to train, work and live in rural and regional Victoria. Rural generalists are general practitioners with advanced training in additional skills, such as anaesthetics, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology or paediatrics, allowing them to work unsupervised in rural settings within their area of speciality.
Noah grew up around the Warragul area, and returned to the region for a number of his placements. Rachel, who is from the Latrobe Valley, has completed all of her clinical placements in Gippsland and is based at Latrobe Regional Hospital in Traralgon this year - where she also works as a Monash University Student of Medicine (or MUSOM), a paid role providing assistance to medical and nursing staff.
“Being a part of this committee allows us to not only learn about the inner workings of this program and its future goals, but also provide representation of Monash medical students so we can hopefully continue to attract more junior doctors through Gippsland VRGP,” she explained.
Rachel plans to apply for the Victorian Rural Generalist Program in Gippsland, and if accepted, will commence her training in 2024. For Rachel, rural generalism has become her vocation.
“For me, it was important to find a career that would allow me to work to live, rather than live to work. Rural generalism in Gippsland allows the balance of a wonderful lifestyle with the daily excitement of not knowing what is going to walk through the clinic doors. Moreover, I can have the added bonus of having a special skill in a particular area, which helps provide greater access to specialist care to my community. I am very passionate about living and working in Gippsland, and hope I can continue to be involved in the persuasive recruitment of others to the area.”
The VRGP aims to increase the number of rural generalists working in regional health services and communities throughout Victoria.
“Having local Gippslanders, like Rachel and Noah, as part of our committee is a huge asset,” said Julie Rogalsky, the Gippsland VRGP Regional Coordinator.
Gippsland Regional Training Hub Manager, Amy Poynton, congratulated Noah and Rachel on their appointment.
“It’s encouraging to see two of our local students - Gippsland grown and trained - actively contribute to the Victorian Rural Generalist Program. I know this experience will help Rachel and Noah continue to build their professional networks in the region - and hopefully inspire future rural generalists in Gippsland!”