Rockhampton Regional Clinical Unit

The Rockhampton Regional Clinical Unit is part of the Rural Clinical School and is situated within the Rockhampton Hospital campus.

The Rockhampton Regional Clinical Unit is headed by Associate Professor Sunday Pam.

Rockhampton team

About the region

Rockhampton is a major centre for the Central Queensland Region. It’s situated on the Fitzroy River, roughly 600 km from Brisbane. The town services a population of more than 80,000 people. The traditional custodians of the land are the Darumbal People.

Rocky, as it’s fondly known, is a lively blend of history, country charm and local industry. The town is a popular hub for travellers, with the region well known for its rugged landscape and natural attractions. The Heritage-Listed Rockhampton Botanic Gardens are among the largest regional gardens in Australia. The nearby coastal town of Yeppoon is a popular getaway for locals.

Find out more about the Rockhampton region

Teaching

Facilities

Accommodation

Meet our students

Meet Connor

Dr Connor Augustson has spent the last two years studying medicine with The University of Queensland Rural Clinical School (UQRCS) in Rockhampton and has graduated with a Doctor of Medicine (MD).

"I have loved every aspect of being in Rockhampton. Some of the biggest reasons I have stayed here for my final two years are the Rockhampton RCS staff, the community that myself and fellow students have created among ourselves, as well as the wider community interactions that we have had over both years- in events such as the weekly Parkrun, Teddy bear picnic or the Yeppoon triathlon.

"This cohesiveness is something I really love about regional city life.

Connor is now on the Rural Generalist pathway, interning at Redland Hospital in Brisbane in 2023.

"I know that I will want to practice a relatively wide scope of medicine, and be adaptable in my approach to a wide range of patients and presentations.

"I feel so privileged to have been supported by the Rocky RCS in not only preparing me for the years ahead with endless clinical coaching sessions and endless encouragement, but in inspiring me to be a doctor that looks after colleagues as well as their patients- taking the time to teach, to support juniors, to reach out when times are tough, and to encourage kindness and enthusiasm.

"Coming to Rockhampton at the start of third year was the best decision I have made within my time as a student.

"I have loved getting to know the RCS staff and fellow students, I have adored the lifestyle, and I had a blast on my rotations as well.

"If you are considering applying to one of the RCS sites as a student, I couldn’t recommend it highly enough," he said.

Meet Aidan

Dr Aidan Galvin has spent the last two years studying medicine with The University of Queensland Rural Clinical School (UQRCS) in Rockhampton and has graduated with a Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Living and working in regional Queensland is Aiden’s goal and stayed in Rockhampton to commence the Rural Generalist Pathway in his intern year with CQ Health.

“The people in regional areas and the feeling of community are just something which you can't get in the cities, and the human interaction is one of the key aspects of medicine which I feel can be diminished in metro areas,” Aidan said.

“By training as a Rural Generalist I will be setting myself up to have the skills to work in regional Queensland, providing both GP and specialist services to communities which may otherwise not have access to these services locally.

“Studying at the UQRCS has supported me immensely through the clinical years of the medical program, with amazing support from the team here and extremely high-quality training provided by the local health services where I have spent time here in Rockhampton and in Emerald."

Aidan said this exposure to high quality medical services in the region has cemented his desire to undergo training as a rural generalist and studying through the UQRCS is one of the best decisions you can make during medical school.

“The learning opportunities and support are leaps and bounds ahead of what you receive in the cities, and I feel immensely more prepared to proceed into my future career as a result of the time I have spent at the RCS,” he said.

Meet Andre

Andre is a Year 3 MD student, currently studying in Rockhampton.

What enticed you to study medicine?

I was initially enticed by the challenge of understanding scientifically complex medical conditions and how I can utilise this knowledge to best help patients and communities. As I have progressed, I have also become excited by the prospect of actively working within a multi-disciplinary team and the subsequent life-long learning that a career in medicine entails.

What’s your accommodation like in Rockhampton?

The accommodation in Rockhampton is fantastic. We have a fully furnished unit, with shared kitchen and living space and a lovely backyard. Each of the bedrooms has its own ensuite. Not to mention how convenient it is being just a two minute walk from the hospital doors! Living with other medical students is great, being able to live with and next to your group of friends.

What enticed you to study in Rockhampton?

Having grown up in Sydney, I have always been a city boy but I was excited by the idea of trying something completely new for a year. I thought living rurally may be something I never get the chance to experience again, however my love for the regional lifestyle makes me quite likely to return. Moving to a regional area increased the likelihood of being more heavily involved within smaller teams and being closer to registrars and consultants, which was also very appealing.

What do you enjoy most about living and studying in Rockhampton?

I love the feeling of togetherness that is pervasive, from the students and staff at the Rural Clinical School to the hospital staff and even the wider community; it gives every interaction a deeper connection. Seeing largely the same people on a daily basis quickly gives you a sense of familiarity and comfortability. The comfortability is also enhanced by the more laid back and easy going culture of Rockhampton which has been great in settling in.

Your favourite moment of your studies so far?

Being able to take my own solo consultations during my placements has allowed me to best develop my own way of practicing medicine. Concurrent to this, I am able to interact with patients in a meaningful way and even postively impact patient care, in ways that I can tangibly see.

What was your pathway into medicine?

I completed a Bachelor of Clinical Science as my undergraduate degree in Sydney. Following this, I spent a year working and figuring out exactly what I wanted to do before setting my sights on medicine and applying that year at The University of Queensland.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

In my spare time I like to keep active by playing sports, going to the gym or for a run. Fortunately, my housemates are the same in this regard so we often do these activities together. Otherwise my housemates and I spend our weekends exploring Rockhampton and its surroundings; going to places that have been recommended to us, going camping or going to local community events.

Any other comments?

Rocky has made balancing the intense and steep learning curve of clinical placements with the necessary mental and social breaks very easy. I know first-hand that the experience is what you make of it; the more you give, the more you get. By investing in the culture, this year has become one of my favourites and has definitely changed my perspective of practicing rural and regional medicine, where I now see a large portion of my future.

Meet Tess

“Growing up in a small country town I was very aware of the lack of doctors, especially female doctors working in rural areas, so I’ve always wanted to come back closer to home to help fix this problem.”