Message from the CEO
Dr Pat Giddings
Welcome to the latest edition of our Journeys newsletter!
In this edition, we share the news of a bright future for RVTS as we continue to provide our highly-respected workforce retention program in rural, remote and First Nations communities, ensuring registrars can remain in their communities while they undertake advanced GP or Rural Generalist training.
We also get to know a little more about long-term RVTS Medical Educator, Remediation Medical Educator – and now Deputy Director of Training – Dr David Baker.
RVTS benefits from the wealth of experience and skills of our medical education and program support teams. In January, we welcomed Dr Peter Smith’s appointment as a Supervisor Liaison Officer – a longstanding RVTS Supervisor, Peter has intimate knowledge of our program and is a keen advocate of our work and achievements. In welcoming Peter, we thank and acknowledge outgoing SLO, Dr Chris Carroll, for the significant contribution she has made during her 18 months in the role.
A bright future for RVTS in new era of training
With College led GP training now a reality, RVTS is playing an important role supporting RACGP and ACRRM during the transition phase and beyond.
We continue to provide our world class workforce retention programs in rural, remote and First Nations communities, ensuring registrars can remain in their communities while they undertake advanced GP or Rural Generalist training.
RVTS CEO, Dr Pat Giddings, spoke recently with Patrick Daley about why he sees a bright future for the organisation in the new era of College led training.
Smiling down the Zoom link from his RVTS office in Albury in regional NSW, Dr Pat Giddings talks proudly about the high level of respect with which RVTS is held in the corridors of power (and health policy) in the nation’s capital.
Congratulations to our recently Fellowed registrars!
FRACGP
- Dr Lolitha Basnayake
- Dr Anusha Fernando
- Dr Pawan Jesrani
- Dr Binay Kumar
- Dr Emmon Mubbashir
- Dr Agga Nabukeera
- Dr Wah Wah Soe
- Dr Karuna Verma
A number of RVTS registrars are currently awaiting conferral of Fellowship – we look forward to congratulating them in the next issue of Journeys!
Meet Dr David Baker – Our Deputy Director of Training
A rural boy at heart, Dr David Baker’s medical career has taken him from remote desert communities in the Northern Territory to the lush Atherton Tablelands of Queensland.
His practice has spanned a range of settings including Aboriginal Medical Services, primary care clinics, hospitals, alcohol rehabilitation services and correctional centres…and at the centre of his work has always been his desire to improve health outcomes for our First Nations people.
David now brings his many years’ involvement with RVTS as a Medical Educator and Remediation Medical Educator to his role as our Deputy Director of Training. We spoke with him recently about his journey into Rural Medicine, his work with RVTS, and what he hopes to achieve in the role.
RVTS – proudly supporting reconciliation
National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) was once again an opportunity for RVTS to reflect on our organisation wide commitment to reconciliation. This year’s theme, ‘Be a Voice for Generations’, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
RVTS is proud to foster a culture of reconciliation across all of our education, administrative and governance activities, aligned with our organisation’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
We acknowledge our Cultural Educators – Professor Marlene Drysdale, Glenda Humes and Gaye Doolan – and our team of Cultural Mentors who provide valued insight and guidance to support RVTS registrars, supervisors and staff, as together we learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and make a positive impact on the health and lives of all Australians.
RVTS training update
Dr Ronda Gurney
RVTS Director of Training
As we approach the midpoint of the year, it’s a good time to look back on the training activities that have taken place so far in 2023!
In March, we delivered our Sydney workshop (pictured below) which focused on procedural skills that are particularly relevant in remote, rural and First Nations healthcare settings.
Eighty-five registrars participated in the hands-on training and interactive sessions, supported by RVTS supervisors, medical educators, cultural educators, cultural mentors and program support staff.
Building on the success of the Sydney workshop, our next will be held in Brisbane from 18-22 September.
Our webinar program has already delivered 87 sessions this year, covering core curriculum topics – that’s an average of six webinars every week!
Train with RVTS!
Enquire now to be ready to apply for our 2024 intake!
Choose RVTS to support you through training to General Practice or Rural Generalist Fellowship.
Recruitment for our January 2024 intake will open in August. Visit rvts.org.au to find out more!
Train with confidence with the support of RVTS – experience counts!
With 23 years’ experience in General Practice and Rural Generalist Fellowship training, RVTS is well recognised for its remote supervision model, supportive learning environment and high quality training.
Our comprehensive training and support is second to none, there is no application fee to apply, and training is fully funded by the Australian Government.
The RVTS program delivers the three to four year Fellowship training program through structured distance education and supervision. Doctors can complete their RACGP or ACRRM Fellowship while they continue to provide medical services to their remote and/or isolated community.
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About our cover art
“Walking Together” is an artwork created by artist Wendy Rix for RVTS, using our existing corporate colours. “Walking Together” represents the healing journey that RVTS undertakes with patients, doctors, health staff and communities. The artwork was commissioned in line with the RVTS Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and is 30x40cm acrylic on canvas. Wendy is a contemporary Indigenous visual artist living in Queensland, Australia. Her family are from Goodooga, New South Wales, and she is a descendant of the Yuwaalaraay people of that area. Wendy is a trained nurse, but painting is her passion. Read more at www.wensart.com.au.
