Yass Valley Council in New South Wales is having success with a program that sends medical students to rural areas.
Jarron Dodds, a 24-year-old medical student at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney will be getting a taste of rural medicine in Yass Valley through the 2017 Bush Bursary Program.
The Bush Bursary Program is funded by the NSW Rural Doctors Network and the Country Women’s Association in partnership with regional councils across NSW. Yass Valley Council recently welcomed Jarron, who is the fourth Bush Bursary student to be sponsored by Yass Valley Council.
During his visit Jarron will spend time at the Old Linton Medical Practice, Atherfield Medical Practice and the Yass and District Hospital.
“Securing doctors and adequate medical services in rural areas is an enormous battle and this fantastic program exposes young doctors to the needs in our regional communities.
“They get to experience first-hand the benefits of living and working in a rural community and also what’s involved in working within the rural clinical health sector,” said Mayor Rowena Abbey.
“I’m sure everyone in the community who meets Jarron will make him feel welcome.’’
Jarron is no stranger to the district having moved to Sydney two years ago from Canberra and has family living in the Yass Valley district.
Prior to commencing medicine Jarron completed a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science at the ANU and an Honours degree in Physiology at the University of Sydney, for which he was awarded first class Honours.
“I am drawn to rural practice for both the lifestyle aspects, as well as the unique medical opportunities and responsibilities doctors are afforded in regional, rural and remote areas and am very much looking forward to spending time in Yass during January,” said Mr Dodds.
Jarron has a particular interest in obesity and has had ongoing involvement in collecting and analysing data for two clinical weight loss trials.
He is also passionate about emergency medicine, surgery, lifestyle modification and rural health.
