Rachel Ryan, a UWA Biomedical Science student, was recognised in the WA Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) and Rural Health West 2024 Student Placement Research Awards, following her ‘extraordinary service’ during a summer internship through the McCusker Centre for Citizenship at WACRH in Geraldton.
Rachel contributed to a mapping exercise to explore a framework for a rural health and education media strategy. The project looked at how podcasts may address access to education and support for rural allied health and nursing clinical supervisors who support students on clinical placements.
Kathryn Fitzgerald, WACRH Senior Lecturer, said that Rachel’s contribution was highly professional and added great value to the project.
“Rachel presented with a mature and professional approach to this project, and she fitted in well to the WACRH organisation and student group,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“She was able to apply a high standard of organisational skills and had a good level of understanding of how workplaces and teams operate.”
For Rachel, applying for an internship was a means to gaining real-world experience, and an opportunity to find out more about the sort of work she could consider after graduation. Being matched with the role with WACRH was a perfect fit.
“Being fully immersed in the rural setting was a highlight of the internship. I had to the opportunity to attend interprofessional workshops with students learning about the roles of allied health professionals and how they work together”
“It was great being able to walk to the beach for a swim in the evenings, attending trivia, and meeting a really welcoming group of people, both fellow students and all of the staff,” she said.
“If the podcast goes ahead, it will increase levels of education, support, and understanding amongst rural clinical supervisors. This will in turn ensure that students on rural clinical placements have a positive experience, and they may consider working rurally upon graduation, strengthening the rural health professional workforce,” Rachel said.