Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) would like to congratulate this year’s winner of the George Golding Memorial Trust Scholarship, Jane Perry. Jane is studying Medicine at Deakin University’s Warrnambool campus and is planning to become a rural generalist after working in medical imaging for the past 15 years.
The $5000 scholarship is named in honour of Dr George Golding, founder and CEO of the General Practitioners Association of Geelong, now Western Victoria Primary Health Network, who devoted his time and expertise to the education and mentoring of medical students, registrars and GPs. The Trust is dedicated to promoting education around medical practice and medical science by recognising academic excellence and providing financial assistance through the provision of scholarships, bursaries or prizes to students. The Trust also aims to support the development of stronger connections between students, general practitioners, specialists and the Deakin University Medical School.
Jane was kind enough to answer some questions about herself and why she is studying medicine.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am a Southwest local having grown up in Terang, Warrnambool and Casterton. I am married and a mum of two primary school aged girls. I have been living back home in Warrnambool for more than a decade, having been initially required to move to Melbourne for university and then to complete my post graduate diploma. Locally, I am involved with volunteering with the Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club, the Australian Breastfeeding Association and GoodSam. Outside of work and study I enjoy bushwalking and walking my dog along Warrnambool’s beautiful coastline.
You’ve been working as a sonographer and nuclear medicine technologist for the past 15 years, what has inspired you to change careers and study medicine?
I have loved working in medical imaging. I greatly enjoy providing patient care, along with combining clinical and technical components of my work to improve patient outcomes. I would ideally like to be involved in ongoing patient care and currently have limited scope to do this – medical imaging is only one component of a patient’s overall investigations and care. Working in healthcare has made me aware of the diversity and array of work that medicine can offer. When Deakin University brought the ability to complete the entire Doctor of Medicine course locally, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. I look forward to supporting patients in my future capacity as a doctor and to becoming a rural generalist.
Why do you think it’s important to support medical students who live in regional or rural regions?
Having worked in regional/rural areas, I know the challenges these areas face in attracting medical staff. Research has shown that those who come from rural areas are significantly more likely to practice in rural areas in the future. By supporting rural and regional students to integrate with the local medical community, students are more likely to feel invested and be able to see their future in rural and regional areas. Supporting medical students early in their career and training will pay dividends when they form an integral component of the future local workforce. Personally, I am grateful to the local doctors who have already reached out to offer guidance and their support will help me succeed.
How will this scholarship help support you?
I am very appreciative to be the recipient of the George Golding Memorial Trust Scholarship. Having a young family and preexisting financial commitments makes studying medicine challenging. This scholarship will help me meet my financial commitments and allow me to spend more time focusing on my studies. It will enable me to spend time volunteering, such as advocating for rural medicine in my current role as Rural Training Stream representative of Deakin’s General Practice Students Network.