Students land scholarships

Rhianna Fitzpatrick, Orange, is in her second year of medical studies at the University of Newcastle, while Joseph Carey, from Bective near Tamworth, is attending the University of NSW.

This is the fourth year The Land scholarships have been offered. They are open to second-year medical students from country NSW.

To be eligible for the scholarship applicants must ordinarily reside in a rural or regional area in NSW.

The scholarship's aim is to encourage medical students to return to rural areas once they have completed their degrees as those who are raised in the bush are the most likely to return to the bush to practise after graduation, Rural Doctors' Association of NSW (RDA) president, Dr David Richmond, Cowra, said.

The successful applicants receive $7500 each and are mentored by a member of the RDA NSW management committee.

Ms Fitzpatrick, who is being mentored by Dr Louise Baker, Cowa, was excited to hear she had been awarded the scholarship.

"I'm so appreciative of this opportunity to be mentored by a rural doctor, it will be invaluable to me as I seek to learn more about my future career paths and further develop my strong interest in rural medicine," she said.

"I'm looking forward to being able to give back as a health professional to the kinds of communities which I loved growing up in."

Mr Carey, who is being mentored by Dr Teena Downton, Tamworth, said he was grateful to be awarded The Land Rural Medical scholarship.

"It's encouraging to know I'm supported by like-minded people that also have an interest or career in rural medicine, and gives me confidence in my passion for the field," he said.

"Hopefully, one day I'll be able to contribute to the accessibility and efficient delivery of health care in rural areas, by living and working in a rural clinical setting."