Growing up in a small country town has inspired Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Ms Melissa McIntyre to pursue a career in pharmacy to help fill the gaps in rural health care.

 

“I believe rural areas should not be disadvantaged and if I work in a rural area I think I can help to improve the general health of a community,” said Ms McIntyre.

 

Ms McIntyre, from Jugiong in southern NSW, is one of 11 CSU students recognised through the prestigious Rural and Remote Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme.

 

The scheme is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, and is managed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia to help students from rural and remote communities cover the costs of studying away from home.

 

The students will each receive $10 000 a year for four years of study and will participate in a mentoring program designed to strengthen ties with regional Australia.

 

Ms McIntyre is in her final year of studying a Bachelor of Pharmacy in the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga and is keen to work in a rural area.

 

“Overall, rural health careers are challenging but rewarding, and will provide a high level of job satisfaction,” she said. “The course at Charles Sturt University has exposed me to all aspects of pharmacy, and I now feel prepared for my intern year and the world of working life.”

 

Ms McIntyre said the financial assistance provided through the scholarship has helped to buy text books and cover living expenses allowing her more time to focus on her university study.

 

Echoing Ms McIntyre is third year Bachelor of Pharmacy student, Mr Nick Flowers, from Mildura on the NSW-Victorian border. Studying through the University’s School of Biomedical Sciences in Orange, Mr Flowers says he will use his scholarship to pay for his on campus accommodation fees as well as text books and other necessities for my course.

 

“The money has assisted me to stay at university to finish my pharmacy degree,” said Mr Flowers. “After graduating, I hope to be working back at home in Mildura or another similar rural location.”

 

CSU Professor of Rural and Remote Pharmacy, Patrick Ball, has thanked the Pharmacy Guild for the support it provides to students.

 

Professor Ball said CSU has a proven record in placing graduates in rural areas.

 

“To work in rural areas with lower levels of collegiate support, graduates need to be independent thinkers and problem solvers. They need to understand rural Australia and feel some attachment to it,” he said. “Spending four years training here in inland Australia, many of our students have formed relationships with people studying other rural-based courses and graduate as a rurally-committed group.” 

 

The other CSU pharmacy students to receive scholarships hail from the Riverina, the central west and south coast of NSW, and from regional Victoria.