The University of Queensland Regional Training Hubs will celebrate the hard work, perseverance and persistence of 119 medical graduates as they commence their internships in Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton and Toowoomba this week.
UQ’s Regional Training Hubs, located in Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Southern Queensland complement the existing investment in rural training for university medical students and seeks to strengthen the pipeline to rural practice for both GPs and specialists.
UQ Head of Rural Clinical School Associate Professor Riitta Partanen said the Regional Training Hubs are here to support interns and junior doctors as they start their new roles with local hospital partners.
“We look forward to helping our newest medical fraternity become integrated and immersed in local regional and rural communities, and helping them through training, education and career support programs.
“We know positive living and work experiences make it more likely that these doctors will remain with us for longer or return to regional and rural communities in the future,” Dr Partanen said.
Despite the COVID challenges that have already presented in 2022, the Regional Training Hubs are ready to welcome and support all our junior doctors in safe and innovative ways.