They came to Dubbo to study medicine. Now, they’re set to make a difference across regional Australia.
After four years of study, the first cohort of students from the Doctor of Medicine (MD) – Dubbo Stream – is about to graduate and make its mark across regional and rural Australia as country doctors.
The first tranche of graduates from the 24-student intake have completed their degree in Dubbo, learning not just the science of medicine, but the art of practising in country communities.
The Dubbo Stream was created to address a critical need: more doctors in rural and remote areas. Developed under the Australian Government’s Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network (MDMSN), the program provides students with immersive clinical experiences across western NSW, giving them firsthand understanding of rural health challenges and the rewards of working outside metropolitan centres.
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health, Professor John Prins, said: “This is a proud moment for our University and the Dubbo community.
“Our MD graduates have spent four years living, studying and working in rural NSW, and many are now stepping into roles that will directly benefit rural and regional communities. The Dubbo Stream was designed to grow a rural medical workforce, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that vision will soon become a reality,” said Professor Prins.
“These students have done something special – they’ve trained as doctors in the region, and now many are staying to serve the communities that supported them. It shows just how powerful local training can be in building a strong, sustainable rural medical workforce.
“When we launched the Dubbo Stream, our goal was to help more students study medicine close to home and, in turn, strengthen healthcare in rural Australia. Seeing this first cohort graduate is proof that this model works.”
Head of School and Dean of the Sydney Medical School, Professor Jane Bleasel, said: “From their first day in Dubbo, these students weren’t just studying medicine, they were living it. They’ve been embraced by the community, mentored by local doctors, and seen firsthand the difference that continuity of care makes in rural towns. That connection to place and people is something you can’t replicate in the city.
“Our graduates have learned medicine in the same communities where they’ll now be making a difference. They’ve developed strong ties with local health services, schools and families, and that sense of belonging is what keeps doctors working in the bush. It’s been inspiring to see them grow into part of the fabric of western NSW,” she said.
The Dubbo Stream gives students the chance to complete their MD entirely in a regional setting, supported by modern facilities and clinical placements at the redeveloped Dubbo Hospital. The curriculum goes beyond textbooks, immersing students in rural life, building community connections, and teaching them how to deliver health services where access can be limited.
Many of the graduates are stepping straight into local and regional roles, returning to the communities that raised them or heading to towns that need their skills. Most have deep rural roots. Some grew up on farms, others in small country towns, and a few have come full circle after studying in the city – all bringing with them fresh perspectives and a commitment to country practice.
George Smith
Hailing from Warragul, Victoria, George Smith followed the example set by his parents – both doctors who chose to live and work regionally – by electing to study medicine.
George felt studying in Dubbo enabled a hands-on experience not always available to future doctors training in the city.
“It’s pretty special to look back on a four-year journey of medical education that has taken me to far corners of rural and remote Australia. I now have an opportunity to give back to the regional communities who helped train me,” he said.
He said the local community also welcomed his involvement in a life outside of study, especially in the local sporting scene.
George will take up an internship at Ballarat Base Hospital next year, alongside his partner and fellow Doctor of Medicine Dubbo Stream graduate Lauren Wild.
Lauren Wild
Lauren, originally from the coastal town of Burnie, Tasmania, also has a strong connection to rural life. She and George met as biomedical science undergraduates at Monash University in Melbourne, actively seeking training programs in rural areas when applying to study medicine.
Rural-based medical training helped Lauren to appreciate the flexibility and range of thinking required to work as a rural practitioner.
“Our classroom and hospital tutors demonstrated, by example, their broad knowledge of the many aspects of medicine required to practice rurally. Exposure to the challenges of truly remote medical care has prepared us for our internships,” said Lauren.
