STARTING MEDICINE AT 40

Becoming a doctor was never a lifelong dream for Suzie Hill, but with two children who are now adults and have left home, she began looking at the next stage of life.

Suzie is currently a first-year student in the University of Sydney’s Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo. She will complete the entire fouryear postgraduate degree in Dubbo with clinical training centered on the newly redeveloped Dubbo Hospital.

Adrian Anderson has recently embarked on his journey to becoming a doctor, studying the University of Sydney’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at the School of Rural Health in Dubbo. Adrian will complete the entire four-year postgraduate degree in Dubbo with clinical training centered on the newly redeveloped Dubbo Hospital.

Suzie has been practicing as a Radiographer for over 15 years. Like many regional and rural residents, she is acutely aware of the impact the shortage of doctors and specialists has on our communities. She has been inspired by the care and support her son received by a specialist and the efforts he went to in bringing treatment closer to home as well as some gentle encouragement from Radiologists she has worked with over the years. studying the University of Sydney’s entire four-year Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo. Students in the Dubbo Stream study the same world-class medical education as their peers in Sydney, with the added benefits of living and studying in a regional location while gaining handson experience in rural and remote medical practice.

Adrian is passionate about developing skills to meet the needs of rural communities and has been encouraged by support from his managers, colleagues and his wife and parents on his decision to go back to study, as well as Dr Andy Caldin at Narromine Hospital, who has provided advice and been very supportive of his decision to study medicine.

Suzie sat the Graduate Medical School Admission Test (GAMSAT) again after being unsuccessful on her first application to the University of Sydney’s Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo. She was then offered a place the second time she applied.

Adrian is part of the second cohort of students now studying the University of Sydney’s entire four-year Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo. Students in the Dubbo Stream study the same world-class medical education as their peers in Sydney, with the added benefits of living and studying in a regional location while gaining hands-on experience in rural and remote medical practice.

The Dubbo Stream is only available to students eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place and pathways are available for First Nations students and those with rural backgrounds.

“I have been working as a paramedic for a while now and wanted to further the care I can provide for patients. I don’t think I can single-handedly solve the rural doctor shortage, but I want to do my bit to

“Being able to study in Dubbo has been a huge attraction in maintaining my family life. I love that I’ll be learning in a smaller cohort and the opportunity to develop relationships with teaching and clinical staff that, hopefully I will be working with one day as a doctor.”

Suzie is part of the second cohort of students now

The Dubbo Stream is only available to students eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place and pathways are available for First Nations students and those with rural backgrounds.

The School of Rural Health in Dubbo features state-ofthe-art medical education facilities including teambased learning studios, anatomy teaching lab, six-suite simulation training centre, tutorial rooms and lecture theatre.

The School of Rural Health in Dubbo features state-of-the-art medical education facilities including team-based learning studios, anatomy teaching lab, six-suite simulation training centre, tutorial rooms and lecture theatre.

For more information on studying medicine in Dubbo visit sydney.edu.au/ medicine-health/ dubbo