Rural placement

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Four aspiring medical professionals are making Horsham their home in 2023, gathering experience and hands-on knowledge of rural health practices as part of a university placement at Lister House Medical Clinic.

The third-year Deakin University students will work alongside the region’s medical professionals under the guidance of Lister House leaders during their first year of clinical placement.

Gabriel Hicks, a former paramedic with working experience in London and rural South Australia, said he was considering working as a medical practitioner in regional Australia once qualified, and his placement in Horsham allowed him to gain more experience in regional health care.

“I have worked in a regional town of 2000 people before, so I am still getting used to working in a slightly larger regional centre here in Horsham. I enjoy working in a regional setting, so this is good opportunity to see if regional health care is for me,” he said.

Portia Lee, from Perth, said she was ‘excited’ to be in Horsham this year.

“It has already been a very different experience than I what I am used to. I want to learn about regional health care because I want to work in a rural setting in the future,” she said.

Suzzie Tsao, from Toronto, Canada, said she was eager to experience a regional town and a tight-knit community.

“Hopefully I end up working in a regional community when I am qualified. I moved to Victoria to experience the Australian lifestyle and it has been great,” she said.

Nicolas Cicci, also from Toronto, said he was keen to gather hands-on experience in a rural community and explore a country-town lifestyle.

“There is always work in rural areas and always a need for regional doctors, so hopefully I can get the full clinical experience here in Horsham,” he said.