About the Medical Student Bursary award
The Rural Medical Student Bursary Award is awarded to a medical student who is a member of a rural health students' club at an Australian university who submits the best essay (maximum 1200 words) a rural and remote health topic.
Each essay nomination is judged on the following criteria:
- demonstrated understanding of rural general practice;
- demonstrated evidence of innovative thinking;
- interest in a career in rural general practice;
- a written statement outlining the ways in which the bursary would support professional development.
The Medical Student Bursary award includes:
- registration to attend the College's annual conference
- presentation of a commemorative trophy at the RACGP Rural annual member event.
Nominations for the 2022 Medical Student Bursary Award will open later in the year and we’ll post the details here. Contact rural@racgp.org.au for more information.
2021 winner
The 2021 Medical Student Bursary Award was presented to Sophie Witherspoon.
Sophie Witherspoon
Third-year medical student Sophie Witherspoon has been awarded for her essay on how to attract and retain medical graduates in rural practice.
Studying through the University of Melbourne’s Extended Rural Cohort Program in Mansfield, Ms Witherspoon chose to write the essay because of the current relevance to rural and remote communities experiencing GP workforce shortages.
Past award recipients
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| 2021 Sophie Witherspoon |
| 2020 Jean-Baptiste Philibert |
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2019 Michael Au
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2018 Jessica Paynter
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2017 Wai Yee Yum
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2016 Maave Barlow
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2015 Maureen Krasnoff
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2014 Michelle Seckington
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2013 Stephanie Hopkins
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2012 Thomas Boosey
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2011 Sarah Devereux
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2010 Sarah McPherson
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2009 Anita Smith
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2008 Brittany Turner
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2007 Alina Harriss
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2006 Nishari Wijewardena
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2005 Joseph Turner
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2004 Ken Liu
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