Paddy Corcoran graduated from Stannies’ in the 2015 cohort and is now studying medicine at the Western Sydney University.

He has just completed the first six months of his studies, including his first major barrier exams, and is back in Bathurst for his semester study break.

On his return Paddy asked to be involved with Western Sydney U – a rural medical program of events and initiatives, and was subsequently invited to shadow Western Sydney U’s rural medical program director Dr Ross Wilson for a few days.

Paddy said this was a great opportunity to gain some valuable first-hand clinical experience and to develop his networks and professional relationships with the staff and patients in Bathurst.

He said the chance to be mentored by someone as respected and knowledgeable as Dr Wilson was a great opportunity for any budding doctor.

Following the clinic at Stannies’, Paddy said he was always interested in health and aspired to do something that would benefit the rural community.

“When the indigenous pathways opportunity came up at Western Sydney I grabbed it with both hands,” he said.

When he graduates, he intends to support rural communities and improve health outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Dr Wilson said it was great Paddy was gaining clinical experience back in Bathurst, saying it was absolutely vital to keep young doctors coming back to regional and rural communities.

“If you harvest them locally they return locally; the retention rate for rural students is far higher than other GPs.

“It’s good to remind them of their roots while they are a student studying in Sydney,” he said.

Dr Wilson said it was also important to have indigenous students who can provide culturally sensitive and safe medical care.