Welcome...
Rural Clinical School Wagga Wagga Campus NEWSLETTER August 2013
CONTENTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Welcome A/Prof John Preddy Christmas in July Welcome—Simone Wright GP Placements Congratulations Dr Elliott-Rudder Football Final Roundup Get Excited for RAW Lost Something? Babysitting Calendar of Events
CONTACTS Head of Campus A/Prof John Preddy j.preddy@unsw.edu.au, 6933 5171
Administration Officer Melissa Denton m.denton@unsw.edu.au, 6933 5146
Administration Assistants Lyn Arthur l.arthur@unsw.edu.au, 6933 5142 Margaret Tenison m.tenison@unsw.edu.au, 6933 5111 Simone Wright Simone.wright@unsw.edu.au, 6933 5137
P.O. Box 5695 WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650 Phone: 02 6933 5111 Fax: 02 6933 5100 http://rcs.med.unsw.edu.au/
The last couple of months have been fairly quiet at the Rural Clinical School, everyone seems to be surviving winter and our students seem to be very busy and happy with their educational programs. Last weekend I played host to just over half of our student body for Christmas in July which was extremely successful. This is an event I would like to repeat on an annual basis. Also, two weeks ago we were fortunate enough to participate in a multidisciplinary teaching exercise with the Rural Clinical Students from Albury and Vet Science students from CSU investigating Zoonoses, which is obviously relevant to both specialties. Next year’s Intern placements have been allocated at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and I’m pleased to report that 10 of our final year students have accepted Intern placements. I understand also that a large proportion of the University of Notre Dame students will remain in Wagga Wagga for Internship in 2014. It is extremely pleasing that so many of our students have applied to continue their medical training in the region. Everybody sees this as a win-win situation. It is certainly very positive for long term recruitment of medical practitioners to regional Australia. The upcoming few months will be extremely busy. In September we have the Year VI final exams, in November we will be running the Phase 2 exams and fifth year exams. On December 6, fingers crossed, all our final year students will graduate and commence Internship in January next year. John Preddy, Head of Campus
Christmas in July— at the Preddy’s A great number of students along with Kylie Pleming and some turkey were all out at the ranch of John Preddy on Saturday, July 27. The chill was kept at bay by the bonfire and the warm mulled wine. The students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the event is now firmly in next year’s calendar. It was an excellent evening by all accounts though there were no presents, possibly due to Mrs Claus being in attendance and not her husband, Santa.
Student Feedback: “Phenomenal evening, we’re all appreciative of Kylie and Dr Preddy for their organisation and generosity” “ Real Christmas is not that good in December!” “Excellent evening—great food and very Christmassy” “”Mulled wine!!”
WELCOME: Simone Wright, Administrative Assistant Wagga Wagga Campus The Rural Clinical School would like to introduce and welcome Simone to the Clinical School. Simone will be supporting the Paediatrics and Women’s Health team at the Wagga Campus. Born and bred in Newcastle, Simone has recently moved to the Wagga area to be with her partner. She has worked with the Australian Rail Track Corporation for the past 8 years. Prior to that Simone was employed by the University of Newcastle for 15 years, within both the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Business and Law. She has one son who is finishing his Electrical Engineering degree at the University of Newcastle. Simone is very excited about this new challenge and is looking forward to being part of the busy team at the Wagga Campus. We’re very pleased to be working alongside Simone and hope she enjoys her time at the School and that she and her family settle well in to their new community. Simone can be contacted at the Rural Clinical School by : email: simone.wright@unsw.edu.au or phone 6933 5137.
Matt and Bella with Practice Manager Lee Loiterton
GP Placements Currently there are several Year V students attending GP placements at Leeton, Gundagai and Cootamundra. They commenced their placement last week and 2 students, Matt Binks and Bella Tompson, are being expertly guided by Drs Scholtz, Offermeier and Boshoff at the Cootamundra Medical Centre. As is always the case for students on placements in regional towns, they have been very warmly welcomed by the community. This week Matt and Bella featured in an article from the local newspaper, the “Cootamundra Herald”. Both these students come from regional backgrounds, Matt is from Mudgee and Bella is from Mittagong and they both intend to practice medicine regionally. It’s very encouraging to know that the RCS teaching program is supported so enthusiastically.
Congratulations—Dr Megan Elliott-Rudder Following the conferring of her PhD doctorate in October, 2012, Megan was selected earlier this year by The Australian Association for Academic Primary Care (AAAPC) Committee as the Distinguished Paper winner for 2013. Megan has been recognised with the award “Most Distinguished Paper— continuation of breastfeeding improves with collaborative motivational support”. The award was presented to Megan at the Primary Health Care Research Conference in Sydney in July 2013. Everyone at the Rural Clinical School congratulate Megan on her award and this significant achievement.. Zoonoses Study Day - CSU Training Centre The day included Year V Wagga and Albury students joining with CSU Vet Science students for an overview of Zoonoses and one health along with common Zoonotic / food-borne diseases. Presenters on the day were A/Prof Deborah Marriott from the Department of Microbiology and Clinical Infectious Diseases at St. Vincent's Hospital Sydney and also Prof Hazel Mitchell from the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney. Also featured were lectures on animal bites and discussions re different medical and veterinary perspectives. It was an interesting and educational day for the students. Students enjoyed a lunchtime BBQ—a collaborative effort by staff from RCS Albury, Wagga Wagga and CSU campuses. Particular thanks go to the presenters for their time in travelling to Wagga and presenting on the day (despite a lengthy flight delay due to fog). Thanks also to Dr Jane Hellar, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health along with Dr Peter Vine and Dr Marietjie Venter for coordinating a very successful and enjoyable day. The following day, A/Prof Marriott and Prof Mitchell then presented Microbiology to the Year IV students of Albury, Wagga Wagga and Griffith at the Wagga Wagga Campus. This was also a valuable inter-campus teaching experience for all.
Get excited for RAW!! The Rural Appreciation Weekend (RAW) is the premier event on the RAHMS calendar. It brings around 150 medicine, nursing and allied health students from around Australia to one exciting rural location. RAW is held over the October long weekend at the new location of Wagga Wagga. RAW gives delegates the opportunity to network in a multidisciplinary setting and learn more about what it’s like to live and work in rural Australia. The weekend is absolutely packed with a range of activities to keep students entertained, from snake bite first aid, Indigenous cultural awareness and fun workshops to a range of guest speakers. The weekend also includes social events, including dinner under the stars. This is an amazing networking opportunity and a great way for health students of all disciplines to experience rural health! For further information about this event, please contact: Francesca Garnett, Year 5, National Rural Health Students’ Network E: francesca@nrhsn,org.au W :www.nrhsn,org.au M: 0419 721 314
FOOTBALL ROUNDUP The RCS has two very committed footballers amongst our ranks who are currently in hard training for the business end of the footie season. Matt Binks is the Rugby guy and Xavier Brennan is the AFL high flyer. Below is a brief roundup of how they think their teams might go: Rugby Roundup - Matt Binks, Year 5, Centre for Wagga Wagga Waratahs 1sts. My second season of rugby union with the Waratahs is drawing to an end and ultimate success is not out of the question. With one round game remaining, we are assured a final’s berth and over the past 3 weeks have beaten 3 of the top 6 teams in the competition. However, Albury have looked unbeatable all year and comfortably disposed of the second placed side just last week. Regardless of the outcome, it has been the most enjoyable year of Rugby since I left the Mudgee Wombats in 2008 and I’ll most certainly go for another round next year. AFL Outllook - Xavier Brennan, Year 6, centre half forward for Wagga Wagga Tigers 1sts This is Xavier’s second season with his Club and with the last few games of the season coming up there are some big games ahead. Currently Tigers are sitting 4th on the ladder with the unbeaten Coolamon Grasshoppers on top—a team that has been undefeated all season. Xavier is very upbeat about the Tiger’s chances: there are a lot of young, local players with potential making for a strong backline and a skilful, young dynamic forward line. He predicts the final will be an open series that anyone can win on the day. BABYSITTER AVAILABLE My name is Annabel and I am a 4th year medical student available for babysitting. I have been babysitting for 9 years so have lots of experience looking after children of all ages. I have my own car and full driver’s licence. I can cook and am happy to help out with any domestic duties. I am able to tutor a variety of school subjects (up to Yr 12) and help with homework. I also have experience teaching music, particularly brass instruments, so can help with any music practice! Please give me a call on 0400 637 242. I would be happy to come and meet you and your family before starting. LOST SOMETHING?? These jackets have been left behind at the Clinical School in the last few weeks. If you recognise the brown Cue jacket (size 12) or the yellow Therma-Fit track top (size large) please enquire at the RCS Front Desk or call Margaret on 69335111.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Welcome to Wagga Dinner:
Tuesday 27 August, 2013 7pm Riverine Club, Sturt Street, Wagga Wagga
Community Liaison Board Meeting:
29 August 2013, 12.45 pm for a 1pm-2pm start Rural Clinical School
Update:
Wednesday, 11 September 2013, RCS Harvey House, Docker Street, Wagga Wagga “Child Lung Health in Resource Limited Settings” - A global health issue presented by A/Prof Steve Graham , Professor of Childhood Tropical Diseases, University of Melbourne
Student Exams 2013: Year VI
Year V Year IV
MCQ Clinical VIVA
16 September 17 September 18 September
Biomed
14 November
MCQ ICE
25 November 26 November