THREE graduates from the Australian National University Medical School have been enjoying the Bega Valley lifestyle while working at the Bega District Hospital over the last several months.
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Doctors Lauren Dickson, Caitlin Coombes and Jessica King have been on placements at the hospital working as medical and surgical interns as part of their ongoing medical training.
All say rural locations have a lot to offer in terms of lifestyle and learning opportunities.
“I’ve found that rural locations offer easier access to consultants and a broader clinical experience,” Dr Coombes said.
“There are opportunities to carry out more procedures,” Dr Dickson said.
Dr King is the first Indigenous graduate from the ANU Medical School, a fact that makes her feel humble.
“I hope I can be a role model for Indigenous people to consider careers in medicine or health,” she said.
Dr King is of the Larrakia people based in Darwin and the Wurrumungu people from Tennant Creek on her mother’s side while her father is English.
“I hope I can be a role model for Indigenous people to consider careers in medicine or health.”
- Jessica King
Although Dr King has only been in the Valley for about three months she said she is relishing the prospect of doing some walks and exploring the coastline.
Dr Dickson and Dr Coombes are familiar with the Bega Valley after spending a year here as third year Rural Stream medical students in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
Dr Dickson, who grew up in Bega, will stay at the Bega Hospital for a three-month orthopaedics residency and hopes to stay in the area next year as a GP.
“There’s a lovely, friendly community at the hospital, I love it,” she said.
Bega Rural Clinical School academic coordinator Mark Oakley said he was thrilled to see ANU graduates coming to the area to work but it was particularly gratifying to have a local person return to the Valley practice medicine.
Dr Coombes grew up in Wagga Wagga and chose to work in Bega because of its rural location.
When her six-month internship there finishes she will start an internship in the Emergency Department at Calvary Hospital in Canberra.
Dr Coombes is a keen member of the Bega Squash Club and has been the club’s women’s champion.
The three doctors are happy for anyone considering a career in medicine, particularly high school students, to contact them to talk about what it is like to study medicine.
