A Warm Welcome to Western Australia
Moving countries to start a career abroad is no mean feat for rural general practitioner Dr Stewart Chipendo. Having moved roughly 8,000 kilometres from Malawi to Western Australia (WA), there was much to do on arrival.
Whilst waiting to commence formally in practice, an invitation to attend Rural Health West’s Aboriginal Health Conference was extended to him. “It was a great gathering and I am very grateful for you personally having invited me” Stewart said. “There were some awesome presentations, and the networking is proving to be most useful to settling in and planning for general practice training.”
07 March 2024
TO
Everyone
No matter where you are
FROM
Rural & Remote Australia
A Warm Welcome to Western Australia
Before commencing in practice at the beautiful seaside location of Dongara, Rural Health West sponsored Dr Chipendo to attend the Aboriginal Health Conference in November 2023, held in Walyalup (Fremantle) via the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP).
This proved to be a great experience for him, and a practical way for him to use his time whilst awaiting administrative tasks to be undertaken upon arrival in Australia, such as Medicare provider number processing.
“What impressed me most was the extensive range of Aboriginal health topics that were covered” Stewart said.
“I am keen on Aboriginal health so the more I expose myself to as much education as I can, the better I will be able to provide professional services to the community I serve.”
Rural Health West sponsor a select number of allied health and medical practitioners and students to attend the conference.
General practitioners on the MDRAP can also utilise their program funding on relevant continual professional development (CPD) opportunities.
The Aboriginal Health Conference in 2023 brought together health professionals from across rural WA to learn from those who came before us, hear their stories and reflect on how we can move through the challenges faced by so many, to find a way forward together.
Rural Health West’s two annual conferences held in Perth and Fremantle on weekends in March and August, are attended by health professionals from every corner of the state, representing all seven regions within our borders.
The conferences feature presentations, keynote speakers, clinical workshops, updates on relevant technology, networking and collaboration opportunities.
Rural health professionals are eligible to apply for travel subsidies to attend the conferences, as well as child care subsidies for those bringing the whole family to Perth for the weekend.
Rural Health West also secures discounted accommodation rates at nearby hotels and offer social and networking events on top of the CPD activities on offer.
“Because the topics were many and they were all interesting and relevant, some of us felt torn in several directions just to decide which presentation to attend” Stewart said.
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