End-to-End Rural Medical Degree commences in Shepparton

The Rural Clinical School in Shepparton has welcomed the first cohort of 30 MD1 students to undertake the Doctor of Medicine (Rural Pathway). The degree is offered as a component of the Federal Government’s investment in the Stronger Rural Health Strategy through the Murray Darling Medical Schools Network (MDMSN) to provide regional students an end-to-end rural medical pathway and to retain the graduates in the regions.

Students sitting in the new common room at the Department of Rural Health, featuring lounge chairs and small coffee tables.

Pictured: Rural MD1 students studying and relaxing in the new accommodation building in Shepparton. L-R: Dhruv Chowdhry, Kiera Howell, Isabella Trevaskis, Archana Christopher (mauve), Srishti Chatterji (grey).

This collaboration with La Trobe University brings together 13 students from La Trobe’s Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) pathway degree and 17 students with undergraduate qualifications from various universities, all of whom hail from rural and regional backgrounds, with the aim of increasing the rural medical workforce.

The majority of the students decided to live on campus and have settled into the new purpose-built two-storey accommodation. They are thoroughly enjoying the open spaces for both studying and relaxing.

The virtual anatomy table is installed in preparation for the first practical sessions in the new teaching and learning building as part of the $6.5 million facilities upgrades through the MDMSN funding. The students are very engaged and ready to commence rural General Practice placements and Discovery Subjects as part of the redesigned MD1 curriculum.