Monash medical students welcomed across regional Victoria
A record number of Monash University medical students have arrived in regional Victoria to start their clinical placements this semester. More than 240 students will be supported by Monash Rural Health across seven teaching locations in Gippsland and the Loddon Mallee and placed within regional health services, primary care centres and general practice clinics.
Among these students is Bonnie Xie, who was excited to return to her hometown of Mildura for her first clinical placement. Studying at Monash Rural Health Mildura, Bonnie will complete rotations in general medicine and general surgery at Mildura Base Public Hospital.
“I feel incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to return to Mildura to continue to learn and grow in the place that inspired me to choose medicine as a career path.”
As an End-to-End Rural Cohort student, Bonnie will complete the majority of her clinical placements in rural north west Victoria, as part of the Federal Government funded Murray-Darling Medical School Network initiative. She is especially excited to be part of the MedToring program, which pairs Monash medical students with students from local secondary schools - a program she participated in as a student.
“Potentially having the honour of mentoring students who are in the same position I was in five years ago will be a real full circle moment.”
Final year medical student from South Gippsland, David McAlpine, is also looking forward to studying close to home. He has returned to Latrobe Regional Hospital after completing placements there during his third and fourth years, and will also undertake surgical and urgent care rotations at Leongatha Hospital.
“I’m looking forward to consolidating my knowledge and clinical skills prior to my internship. I have been privileged to undertake all of my clinical placements in Gippsland. I cannot wait for the emergency rotation, as my placement there in third year was a little disrupted due to the pandemic and this year will offer an opportunity to immerse myself in clinical learning.”
Head of School, Professor Shane Bullock, noted the increased interest from students in pursuing rural placements during their medical degree. With significant opportunities for hands-on learning, smaller clinical teams, more patient access and more opportunity to practise clinical skills, rural placements are highly sought after.
“Our students are seeing the value and positive outcomes rural placements can have on their studies, their career direction and most importantly, on the communities themselves, where as student doctors they make a valuable contribution to improving health.”
Monash Rural Health has eight teaching sites across regional Victoria, including 100 first year students of the graduate entry medicine course at Churchill in Gippsland. The School delivers Monash’s internationally recognised medical program, as well as providing support for nursing and allied health students while on placement.
Professor Bullock encouraged the local communities to welcome students and help them make the most of their rural experiences.
“We are thrilled that Monash students get to experience studying, working and living within our regional communities and hope they immerse themselves in what’s on offer. If you see our students in your local hospital, GP clinic or out in the community, please say hello and pass on your local knowledge of the area to them.”