Rural Clinical School of Western Australia welcomes future doctors to Collie for study

Budding medical practitioners will now have the opportunity to complete their studies in Collie, with four students embarking on practical placements in the South West town for the first time.

The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia has taken on medical students Natasha Bower, Grace Anwar, Shachar Eyal and Kirsty Eades for the next 11 months as they complete their clinical placements at Collie Hospital and local GP clinics in the area.

The students will live in the town for the next year, working closely with RCSWA medical coordinators and mentors Dr Emma Jones, Dr Marelene Oelofse and Suzanne Wallace, with additional support from academic services officer Zoey Broomhead.

Aspiring doctor Ms Anwar said she is “extremely excited” to be studying in the South West.

“I wanted somewhere with a tight-knit and supportive community, and as Collie had both that, as well as beautiful local surroundings, it seemed like the perfect fit for me,” she said.

“As someone who has grown up in the city I have always been envious of the way people who live rurally talk of their close-knit communities.

“I’m really looking forward to getting involved in the Collie community in this way and getting to know the people who live here, but also exploring some of the beautiful natural lakes and trails around the area and going for a good pub feed at the end!”

A RCSWA Kalgoorlie 2013 alumni, Dr Jones is already familiar with professional practices in a rural area and is excited to share her knowledge with the students.

“I love looking after whole families and feeling that interconnectedness of community as part of their healthcare,” she said.

“I had a great time as an RCSWA student and learnt so much. Coming back as a medical coordinator, I intend to give the Collie students all the support and hands-on learning opportunities that I had.”

The Collie students are among 112 pentultimate students undertaking rural placements with the RCSWA this year, along with 20 final-year students.