Last month, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Tasmania celebrated 2024’s scholarship recipients with a presentation held at the Rivers Edge building of UTAS Inveresk.
The seven recipients – medical, nursing and dental students from the University of Tasmania and TasTAFE – took to the stage to share their experiences and the impact of their work in some of Tasmania's and mainland Australia’s most remote areas.
Each presentation demonstrated their passion for rural healthcare, with stories that highlighted the unique challenges and rewards of working in these communities.
The event, attended by RFDS staff, stakeholders, family, and friends, was a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm the students have for improving health outcomes in rural and remote communities.
Jemma Stevens (pictured centre), recipient of the RFDS/Commercial Travellers Association 4th Year Medical Student Scholarship shared what drove her to apply.
“My motivations for undertaking a placement with the Royal Flying Doctor Service stems from my deep passion for rural and remote medicine. Growing up in Devonport and completing placements in similar settings has given me a firsthand understanding of the unique healthcare challenges faced by these regions.”
“This placement aligned perfectly with my long-term goal of practicing medicine in rural and remote settings, where I aspire to contribute meaningfully to addressing healthcare inequities.”
Jemma StevensRFDS John Flynn Dental Assistant Scholarship recipient, Danielle Symons got a taste for the unique work the RFDS delivers in Tasmania’s rural and remote communities over a two-week placement with the mobile dental team. Danielle flew to King Island, thentravelled with the RFDS mobile dental vehicle to Winnaleah in the state’s north-east.
Of her scholarship experience, Danielle says, “It highlighted the importance of providing medical services to those who are often overlooked.”
Attendees were moved by the enthusiasm and commitment displayed by each of the scholarship recipients. Their eagerness to make a positive impact on rural and remote health outcomes was evident in every story shared.
The presentations not only highlighted the recipients' invaluable experiences but also underscored the vital role of RFDS Tasmania in supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals.
RFDS Tasmania CEO, Nicole Henty, expressed her pride in the scholarship recipients and their contributions to rural healthcare. "These students exemplify the spirit of RFDS, and their dedication to serving our rural communities is truly inspiring. We are committed to continuing our support for these talented individuals as they pursue their careers and we hope they may return in the future as a member of our workforce," Nicole Henty said.
Danielle has since joined the RFDS Tasmania dental team full-time.
“Combining my passion for healthcare with the chance to reach those in need, no matter where they are, it made the decision to join RFDS an easy one. I feel privileged to become a part of such a vital organisation, doing incredibly important work. I would highly recommend to anyone that has the chance to experience the organisation through the scholarship program to grab it with both hands."
RFDS Tasmania offers multiple scholarships annually to medical and dental students, supported by the University of Tasmania (UTAS), TasTAFE, the Fairbrother Foundation and Commercial Travellers Association (CTA).
All RFDS Tasmania scholarships provide recipients the opportunity to experience living in rural and remote Australia and deliver health programs to communities otherwise isolated from these vital services. Every placement shapes a recipient’s future practise as health care providers as delivering health care in rural and remote settings involves a skillset that reflects the unique setting they are in.
Find out more about RFDS Tasmania scholarship programs
