The University of Queensland (UQ) Medical School is celebrating 34 graduating Doctor of Medicine (MD) students from the Toowoomba Regional Clinical Unit, who will embark on their journey as junior doctors.
Amongst the sea of smiles will be Anna Heasman; a radiographer, sonographer, mother, wife and now doctor who will be staying on to intern with the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service in Toowoomba.
Like many pathways to medicine, Anna gathered a wealth of real-life experience in medical imaging in Australia and the United States of America and started a family before revisiting the idea of studying medicine while taking time off following a wrist reconstruction.
While in her second year of study, Anna and her husband welcomed a daughter and just 2 weeks later, Anna sat and passed her Year 2 exams.
When the opportunity to complete her final 2 years with the Toowoomba Regional Clinical Unit (RCU) arose, Anna saw it as a chance to gain more balance and time with her family.
“I have experienced so much support and kindness from the Toowoomba RCU staff and students, that I don’t think could be matched,” Dr Heasman said.
“I am so glad to have been part of such a wonderful group of close-knit students, and I have greatly appreciated the smaller learning environments and opportunities given to us.
“Toowoomba Hospital has really been the perfect classroom; it’s given me the opportunity to experience a range of medical situations, while also been small enough to give me the chance to feel part of the team and learn from the consultants and registrars, and I’m happy to be continuing there in 2025.”
Anna has been accepted on the Rural Generalist Pathway which supports junior medical officers to become a rural generalist, someone who has specific expertise in providing medical care for rural and remote or isolated communities.
“I have always had a romantic view of rural GPs and look forward to building that community connection and feeling the satisfaction of making a difference to the health of these people,” she said.
“The Darling Downs offers the stability for my career, and for the education and future of my children.”

Rural Clinical School Deputy Director and Head of Toowoomba RCU, Dr Doogie Whitcombe was delighted that Anna was one of many students who chose to remain in the Darling Downs for their intern rotations.
“Over the last three years, 50 percent of the Year 4 MD cohort have remained in the region, demonstrating the key role the Rural Clinical School (RCS) plays in developing the regional workforce of the future,” Dr Whitcombe said.
“It is always fantastic to see how many alumni return to the RCS as junior doctors to assist with teaching and mentoring the next generation of students.
“Their support and insight on how to manage the transition from student to medical professional at the Toowoomba Hospital is invaluable.”
Launched in 2023, the Darling Downs South-West Medical Pathway, a partnership forged between UQ, the University of Southern Queensland, and the Darling Downs and South West Hospital and Health Services, enables university students to complete all their undergraduate and postgraduate studies and practical training in the region.
In 2025, the RCS will welcome Year 2 students to Toowoomba for the first time and by 2026 there will be over 200 students studying across all 7 years of the Medical Pathway based in Toowoomba and the South-West.
Anna is one of 17 Toowoomba based Rural Clinical School students who’ve accepted intern positions with Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service in 2025.