A total of 160 high school students from across the Darling Downs and South West who expressed an interest in working in medicine, nursing, midwifery or allied health gained a deeper insight into potential careers with the Aspire to Health program.

With workshops held in Kingaroy, Toowoomba, Warwick, Stanthorpe and Roma, students were able to become health professionals for a day to gain an overview of healthcare and inform their career choice.

The Department of Education and Training, Queensland Rural Medical Education (QRME), Griffith University, University of Queensland Rural Clinical School Toowoomba and University of Southern Queensland, along with Southern Queensland Rural Health (SQRH), have partnered to deliver a series of “Aspire to Health” workshops across the Darling Downs and South West. This year there has been added support from Darling Downs West Moreton Primary Health Network (DDWMPHN).

Aspire to Health is an initiative of QRME and had been expanded over the past two years to include SQRH which has increased exposure to the broader range of allied health professions.
Interprofessional Practice Co-ordinator Nicola Cotter, who worked on the Aspire to Health organising committee, said the SQRH team was delighted to be part of the successful program and pleased to help co-ordinate a workshop in Roma, which is the first ever for South West Queensland.

“The workshop gives rural and remote high school students the opportunity to experience some aspects of healthcare delivery in a practical sense. The students participate in clinical skills stations on plastering, suturing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and various allied health skills,” she said.

QRME CEO Megan O’Shannessy said QRME and Griffith University are thrilled to be involved in the Aspire to Health initiative and excited to meet the next generation of health professionals.