Claim OwnershipDestination Medicine Podcast
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Description
Opportunities for a successful medical career in rural Australia are immense. The Destination Medicine© podcast library has been created to assist anyone who has thought about a career as a rural doctor to make informed decisions and navigate a rural medical pathway with greater confidence.
Each episode of this podcast series brings the story of a doctor and their journey into rural medicine. It hasn't been a straight highway for many; there have been a few bumps, U-turns and bends along the way. How did a city slicker end up living on a farm in the Riverina of NSW? And what happened to the young doctor who had a life changing moment on an isolated highway in the Northern Territory? Well, you will have to listen to find out...and there's more.
With over 23 specialities, 81 fields of speciality practice and 86 speciality titles, making career decisions can seem overwhelming for medical students and junior doctors. For some it is an easy decision, having always known the area in which they want to work, however, for others, the plethora of information and complex selection and admission criteria for training, is daunting.
Our doctors share their candid and fascinating stories so that you, the listener, can have a better understanding of what's involved in pursuing a rural career pathway. Lifestyle counts - and for those who are living in rural and remote Australia, the impact is immeasurable.
The podcast series, 'Destination Medicine' is a collaboration between four rural NSW Regional Training Hubs - Far West, Riverina, Western and Northern NSW.
127 Episodes
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Living where people know your name, and are keen to stop and chat, is high on Dr Courtney-Anne Blackhall’s priority list for life, as is having a broad-based career in this friendly environment. So the Northern Rivers, with its beaches, restaurants and cool sea breezes is the perfect location to work as a rural GP. Courtney-Anne shares the story of her journey from Perth to Lismore, discussing the unique challenges of rural healthcare and why saying “yes” shaped her path to becoming a compassionate and adaptable GP.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Growing up a city kid, it hadn’t dawned on Dr Emma Jones that she could and would dedicate herself to being a Rural Generalist. Then a conversation with other medical students about the benefits of living regionally led her to the John Flynn Prevocational Doctor Program. Taking part in rural placements ignited her passion for regional healthcare. She hasn’t looked back. Now a GP in Geraldton, she thrives in a diverse, flexible career that includes private practice, rural outreach, hospital work, and medical education. Emma shares her journey, the challenges she faced, and the rewards of life as a rural doctor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Soaring to the heights of rural and remote medicine — and not just in RFDS planes — Dr Jessica Martyn has enjoyed an extremely varied and exciting career. Dr Martyn, who is now the Head of Unit at the Port Augusta Hospital Emergency Department, has a passion for emergency medicine and regional healthcare that was shaped by her unique upbringing, hands-on medical placements, and early career experiences. From growing up with a search-and-rescue pilot father to working in Alice Springs, Jess shares how the challenges and rewards of rural medicine have fuelled her commitment to regional communities, and how living and working outside the city offers unmatched opportunities and lifestyle benefits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s hard to beat the regional doctor lifestyle. That’s according to veteran Dubbo GP Dr Andrew Moreton, who has dedicated his career to lifetime care in regional NSW. He’s had the opportunity to bring up his children on a small property just a few minutes from town while practicing a varying professional life and contributing to the community. In this episode of Destination Medicine, Dr Moreton shares his journey from aspiring psychiatrist to rural general practitioner, describing the moment he realised his passion for holistic care. He reflects on the diverse opportunities he's encountered in rural medicine, from teaching and mentoring to public health projects in remote communities like Bourke. Andrew offers advice to medical students, emphasising the limitless possibilities in general practice and the rewarding connections forged through rural healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you are planning to practice in an area the size of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, it helps if you buy a plane and learn to fly. That’s how Dr Scott Lewis brings crucial GP and anaesthetist services to his huge patch of rural and remote Australia. In this episode of Destination Medicine, Dr Lewis describes his rewarding and varied professional life. He discusses the impact of his early experiences, the significant impact of his mentor, and the pivotal role rural medicine played in shaping his career. He highlights the challenges and rewards of providing medical care in small communities, and how his diverse roles — spanning clinical practice, teaching, and emergency services — have allowed him to make a lasting impact on rural healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There is so much to be learned from the vastly experienced Dr John Floridis, a pharmacist-turned rural generalist and advanced emergency medicine trainee. As well as being a rural and remote family doctor, John is a GP anaesthetist and a medical retrieval consultant who spent almost a decade servicing remote communities (and the citizens of Darwin) in the Top End. In this episode of Destination Medicine, Dr Floridis shares his medical journey from his early days working in South Australia's Riverland to practicing in remote East Arnhem Land. He reflects on the unique challenges and rewards of rural and remote healthcare. He discusses the deep connections with local communities, the broad scope of practice, and the huge opportunities for both professional and personal growth in rural and remote medicine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Running her own practice in a “top ten” tiny town, Dr Emmy Hennell is a rural GP in a position to sit back and survey her great achievements, wrapped in the arms of a supportive community. From her home in Tumby Bay, South Australia, Dr Hennell shares her extraordinary story, from growing up as the 11th of 13 children in an Adelaide family, to becoming a dedicated rural GP. After nearly leaving medicine to become a nurse, Dr Hennell overcame numerous challenges, including balancing motherhood and her medical career, to eventually own and run a rural medical practice. Her story highlights the importance of persistence, community support, and the unique opportunities that rural medicine offers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An ambition to find a challenging position in life, where close teamwork and hands-on experience go together, has led Dr Robert Easter to an incredibly interesting and varied specialist career. In this episode of Destination Medicine, Dr Easther, a consultant anaesthetist working in NSW and Tasmania, shares his journey and dedication to rural healthcare. Starting medicine late, he found his passion in obstetric and orthopaedic anaesthesia, shaped by a fellowship in Canada. At Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, he serves as a supervisor of training and leads a regional anaesthesia training scheme. He emphasises the importance of mentorship and the diverse, challenging nature of anaesthesia. But it’s not all hard work, with Dr Easter enjoying the work-life balance in Wagga Wagga, being close to work and active in the community. He advises medical students and junior doctors to plan ahead and stay open to opportunities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr Tau Loseli is living his dream: a (literally) hands-on medical practice in regional Australia which affords him to so much more time to spend with his wife and children. This son of Tongan immigrants started out pulling vegetables from the ground with his family. But Tau was inspired by the community respect given to a family mentor and set about making his way toward the same stature. In this episode of "Destination Medicine," Dr Tau Loseli shares his inspiring journey from growing up in regional Australia to becoming an orthopaedic surgeon.
Raised in Griffith, Tau's upbringing in a hardworking, close-knit community instilled in him a deep appreciation for education and resilience. He discusses how rural placements, and a scholarship helped him overcome financial challenges and pursue his passion for medicine. Tau's story highlights the unique rewards of practicing in regional areas, including a profound sense of community and the opportunity to give back to the people who shaped his life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From dreaming of being a pilot to becoming a rural doctor with an enormously diverse skill set, Dr Peter McInerny has had an inspiring medical journey. In this episode he discusses the pivotal moments that led him to choose rural medicine, the challenges and rewards of general practice, and the personal qualities essential for success.
With anecdotes ranging from being the town vet to delivering babies and administering anaesthetics, Dr McInerny’s career is a great example of the unique and fulfilling opportunities available in regional and rural medicine. His insights and advice offer valuable guidance for anyone considering a medical career.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Born and bred a city kid, Dr Kayla Mizzi has transformed into a passionate rural generalist working in the tiny town of Manjimup in Western Australia’s far southwest. In this episode, we follow Kayla on her journey to rural medicine as she switched almost at the last moment from veterinary science, to medicine driven by a desire to connect with people.
She describes the rewards of rural medicine, emphasising the importance of creativity, resourcefulness and a willingness to embrace challenges. A multifaceted rural generalist, Kayla’s roles include working in the emergency department, serving as an admitting doctor, and practicing as a GP. She also contributes to medical education and research, promoting rural medicine as a fulfilling career.
Dr Mizzi encourages aspiring doctors to pursue rural generalism early in their careers, emphasising the unique opportunities in smaller communities for personal and professional growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It was in the midst of her idyllic country childhood that Associate Professor Kerin Fielding decided to become a doctor — particularly a surgeon. Now a Visiting Medical Officer at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, Prof. Fielding is a prominent orthopaedic surgeon, the first woman in NSW to qualify as one and only the third female president of the Royal Australiasian College of Surgeons. In this episode she also describes her other great passion. A Paris-trained cordon bleu pastry chef, Prof. Fielding also runs her own patisserie. She shares insights into her experiences in rural medicine, the rewarding moments she's encountered, and the importance of mentors in her career. Prof. Fielding also highlights the significance of work-life balance in a rural setting and offers valuable advice to aspiring doctors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr Nadee Assiriyage was always going to be a Doctor. As a little girl growing up in Sri Lanka she went everywhere with her own ‘doctor’s kit’ so she was always available to perform emergency surgery on her dolls. In this, often humorous, episode, we follow Dr Assiriyage on her inspiring journey from South Asia to a medical school in Adelaide, and then her newfound life in regional Whyalla. A passion for rural medicine is evident as she shares her experiences, from finding her place in a tight-knit community to her unique role as the Director of clinical training in her new forever home. She also offers terrific advice to junior doctors keen to embrace the versatility and close patient relationships a regional position can bring.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Professor Tara Mackenzie is an important, and influential, figure in the rural health ecosystem. As Associate Dean of Rural Health at UNSW, and a consultant respiratory physician with 17 years of experience in Wagga, Professor Mackenzie has a deep understanding of rural and regional clinical practice. In this episode she shares her journey into medicine and highlights the diverse and rewarding aspects of respiratory medicine. Prof Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of choosing a career path that aligns with your passion and reminds us that it's okay not to have all the answers early in your medical career. Dr. Mackenzie’s commitment to rural healthcare is evident as she discusses her love for Wagga and its close-knit and welcoming community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Emily Turnbull began her career as a paramedic but over time, realised she could do more for her community by becoming a doctor. Now a fourth-year medical student at Dubbo Rural Clinical School and raised on a property in rural almost remote NSW, rural life is in Emily’s blood. So, it makes sense that she eventually wants to bring all of her skills and knowledge home, to support rural communities in need. And with the belief and determination she has, she’ll do just that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jessica Mepstead gave herself two months to study for the GAMSAT. Already working as a dietician, she chose not to tell a soul until the result – she passed! She also gained some great insight and perspective on the process. And while her drive and passion are undeniable, the workload still astounds her. Now a 3rd year medical student at Dubbo School of Rural Health, Jessica is embracing Dubbo life to the fullest, from the number of opportunities in her clinical study program to the incredible lifestyle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From playing gigs in pubs to delivering babies in the Outback, Liam Halford’s journey to medicine was anything but typical. Growing up in Gawler, South Australia, with no family history in medicine, Liam discovered his passion for rural healthcare through placements in Maleny and Broken Hill. He shares how hands-on experiences, tight-knit communities, and unexpected adventures — including ambulance rides and camel races — shaped his training and inspired a deep love for country medicine. His story is a reminder of what’s possible when you step outside your comfort zone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Growing up in rural Tasmania, Lonnie Schramm never imagined becoming a doctor — especially not in the Northern Territory. But a move to Darwin, a psychology degree and a leap of faith into medicine changed everything. Lonnie shares her unconventional journey, from self-doubt to studying medicine in Alice Springs, working with First Nations communities, building a rural health student society, and finding strength through music, mentorship, and connection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A frightening experience at the age of 16 prompted Jack Howard to study medicine. He was on a country road when his grandfather experienced chest pains, and Jack didn’t know how to help except to drive at speed to the nearest country hospital. With limited guidance and no real medical role models, Jack was forced to navigate the complexities of medical school applications alone and says he “went in very naively.” His story underscores the profound impact of rural medical practice and the importance of resilience and community support. His story shows how personal experiences can shape a fulfilling career in rural healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We all owe something to our mothers, but medical student Georgia Goodhew is especially grateful to hers. When Georgia finally realised a girl could become a doctor, it was her mother who stood beside her in the face of many detractors. In this episode of Destination Medicine, Georgia shares her journey from growing up in Narrabri to pursuing her dream of becoming a rural doctor. Fascinated by the human body from a young age, Georgia overcame numerous challenges, including the lack of female doctors in her community, to achieve her goal. She discusses her path through sonography, the pivotal role of mentors, and the motivation behind co-founding Boots to Scrubs, an initiative for rural females aspiring to do medicine. Georgia’s story is a testament to hard study, community support, and the fulfilling opportunities in rural healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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