WA Centre for Rural Health celebrates 10 years of building a strong rural health workforce with student expo

The WA Centre for Rural Health of the University of Western Australia has celebrated 10 years since the establishment of the Student Health Academy (SHA). More than 700 Year 10 students from Geraldton, Mullewa, Northampton and Dongara have participated in the program since its inception. The two-day program held on August 16 and 17 provided students with an insight into the variety of health careers open to them. Students were provided an opportunity to speak with health professionals and academics and participate in problem-solving activities to grasp real-world insights into a career in healthcare. SHA, designed by WACRH staff and facilitated alongside medical students who are completing placements, caters to any student considering a general, VET, or ATAR pathway into a health career. This year, 20 health careers were open to students, including occupational therapy, social work, pharmacy, podiatry, optometry and speech pathology. WACRH senior lecturer Kathryn Fitzgerald said more than 98 per cent of students who attended the event said the program gave them more confidence in choosing a health career. “Over the past decade, the Student Health Academy has played a pivotal role in ensuring local young people know there are many career options to pursue in working in health,” she said. “When the high school students come to the SHA, they are often aware of a limited number of health professions and after attending they see many more options are available to them. “We are thrilled to see the positive impact this program has had, not only in sparking interest in health careers but as part of WACRH’s aim to build a stronger, more sustainable future rural health workforce in our communities.” WACRH aims to continue supporting future generations choosing a career path in health and building a resilient rural health workforce.