The careers of three aspiring Tasmanian rural doctors have been given a boost, with the Royal Flying Doctor Service presenting its Commercial Travellers Scholarship.
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The scholarships have been presented to three fourth-year University of Tasmania medical students, who have already had a taste of practicing medicine in remote locations.
During a presentation ceremony held last week, recipients Declan Hilder, Fayral Qureshi and Claire Mackintosh shared their experiences from their time in the outback.
They included working in 47 degree days, resuscitating patients mid-flight, and conducting health clinics on vast cattle stations.
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RFDS Tasmania chief executive John Kirwan said he was not only impressed with their interest in rural medicine, but he hoped they would continue developing their skills and one day apply them in Tasmania.
"Maybe even work with the Royal Flying Doctor Service," he said.
Growing up in Mount Isa and now based in Launceston, Ms Qureshi applied to study medicine at UTAS through the rural entry scheme.
She said she was particularly passionate about rural health and believed the future of health funding needed to address rural and regional areas of Australia to promote health equity.
Ms Mackintosh is also based in Launceston with the UTAS Clinical School at Launceston General Hospital.
She said she chose to study a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery as she had a passion for working with and helping other people.
A strong supporter of Australia's free public health care service, she said she believed a career in medicine would be rewarding and worthwhile.
Mr Hilder, originally from Hobart, is in his final year of a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery at the UTAS Rural Clinicial School in Burnie.
He said his aspiration was to reach an interpersonal career where he could make direct improvements to the lives of others and satisfy his curiosity with lifelong learning.
A contributing factor to him choosing a career in medicine was the ability to work across a variety of geographical and cultural environments.
As a part of this, he hopes to work in a rural and remote practice.