Medical students embrace rural rounds
Monash University’s School of Rural Health has recently welcomed 15 medical students from the university who are undertaking clinical placements in Warragul this semester.
The students are set to complete a series of rotations across the West Gippsland Healthcare Group. The placements will include stints in general and emergency medicine, general surgery, aged care, palliative care, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology.
As well as hospital rotations, the fourth year students will complete placements in the community at GP clinics in Warragul, Drouin, Trafalgar and Yarragon.
One of these students is Amanda Windahl. Amanda has lived in the Latrobe Valley for ten years and came to be a medical student later in life, after a career as a communications designer. After returning to university to complete a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash, she is now in her third year of medicine at Monash and is completing her placements in Gippsland. “I’m enjoying seeing a different part of Gippsland than where I live and finding out how the medical system works together across the area as this is where I plan to practise,” explains Amanda. “I plan to stay in Gippsland after graduating. I have been building my medical networks while raising my family in the area. I can’t wait to become a local GP and have a real passion for working with the LGBTIQ community.”
Director of Monash Rural Health, Gippsland, Associate Professor Cathy Haigh, was excited to welcome the students to the region, and encouraged locals to support the students during their placements. “We are thrilled to have this group of students with us this year. I hope the West Gippsland community will show our students the rewards of a rural lifestyle,” she said. “Please say hello when you see them in your GP clinic or at the hospital - and share your local tips to help them make the most of their experience of living and learning in Gippsland!”
Monash Rural Health has six teaching sites across Gippsland, delivering Monash’s internationally recognised medical program, as well as providing support for nursing and allied health students on placement within the region.