New Karratha medical students keen to engage with community

Five bright new medical students are set to start their one-year placement with the Rural Clinical School of WA in Karratha this week.

The students, all in their third year at Notre Dame University, completed their inductions last week and on Monday entered the hospital and GP clinics around town.

Medical student Tessa McCormack said they’re all excited to get stuck into the job, but also to experience every-thing life in the Pilbara had to offer.

“We’re really looking forward to doing what we all came into medicine to do, which is be with patients,” she said.

“So far, we’ve only done the academic side, so we’re really excited to get to put our learning into practice and have that interaction.”

“The other side of it is getting to know Karratha, the Pilbara and the surrounding region, really engaging in the lifestyle and making the most of being in a small community.”

The students will rotate through different departments at Karratha Health Campus, complete stints at GP clinics in Karratha and Roebourne and be involved in a one-week secondment to Onslow.

The Rural Clinical School program is incredibly competitive, with students having to go through a formal application and interview process.

“There are lots of people that want to go to the country, which is great,” Ms McCormack said.

“It’s safe to say we all want get out and explore the likes of Karijini and the rest of the natural surrounds in the Pilbara.”