As well as funding a broad range of medical research, Australian Rotary Health has a strong vision to improve the health of Australians living in rural & remote areas, as well as for Indigenous Australians.
 
Read on
 
 

Training Doctors & Nurses in the Country

To address staff shortages in rural healthcare facilities, Australian Rotary Health provides scholarships for medical and nursing students to undertake a one-year placement at a rural or remote health care service. Rural Medical Scholarships are $5,000 per annum, and Rural Nursing Scholarships $12,500.
 
Students are trained in a diverse environment, and these experiences encourage recipients to pursue a career in rural health services upon graduation.
 
“I have found the medicine unique and interesting here, and I have enjoyed the large component of Aboriginal health. I feel that the placements in Kununurra and Darwin last year really helped prepare me for my current job and I am thankful to Australian Rotary Health and District 9830 for this.”
  • Helen Chan, Graduate Doctor working at Royal Darwin Hospital, NT.

Training Indigenous Healthcare Professionals

Indigenous Health Scholarships encourage Indigenous students to undertake training in medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, dentistry and other health related degrees at university. This program sees a Rotary Club, Rotary District, business or individual, partner with the State & Commonwealth governments to provide a $5,000 annual scholarship. A total of 92 Indigenous Health Scholarships were awarded in 2015.
 
“In the past semester I have developed a stronger urge to work in areas of disadvantage and marginalisation. I believe in equal opportunity and access to the same optimised outcomes for all those who require healthcare. Much work has been done to “close the gap" between Indigenous and non Indigenous populations although there is much more that can be achieved.”
  • Rebekah Coon, Indigenous Nursing Scholar, Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, NSW
To learn more about Rural & Indigenous Scholarships, including information about how to financially support these programs, visit www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au/Programs.aspx or contact Australian Rotary Health’s Programs Coordinator, Cheryl Deguara, on 02 8837 1900.