Destination Doctor program inspires next generation of regional medical students
Year 10 students across Central and Wide Bay Queensland have been given a hands-on glimpse into a future in medicine, as CQUniversity’s Destination Doctor program rolled out across Emerald, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg this month.
Delivered on behalf of the Regional Medical Pathway (RMP), the immersive program welcomed selected students from across Emerald, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton and Hervey Bay to take part in practical clinical experiences and hear directly from medical professionals.
Across each location, students stepped into simulated clinical environments, building foundational skills through interactive workshops including suturing, blood typing, cannulation and vital sign assessments. Sessions in Rockhampton and Bundaberg also offered a rare opportunity to explore CQUniversity’s anatomy laboratory and human-specimen plastinates, providing a deeper understanding of human anatomy.
CQUniversity Associate Professor and Head of Course Pathway to Medicine, Dr Andrew Fenning, said the program plays a vital role in building aspiration and awareness among regional students.
“Destination Doctor is about giving students a real sense of what a career in medicine looks like, beyond what they might see in textbooks or pop culture,” Dr Fenning said.
“By engaging students and providing hands-on experiences, we can help demystify the medical profession and show that a pathway into medicine is achievable.”
The multi-site program began in Emerald on Friday, 5 June, before travelling to Bundaberg (Tuesday, 9 June), Hervey Bay (Thursday, 11 June), Rockhampton (Wednesday, 17 June) and Gladstone (Thursday, 18 June), reaching students across the footprint of the Regional Medical Pathway.
Throughout the sessions, participants also connected with doctors, academics and current medical students, gaining insight into study pathways, entry requirements and the realities of working in healthcare.
Senior Future Students Officer Carrie Smith said these conversations are just as valuable as the practical components.
“Hearing directly from people who have walked the same path is incredibly powerful,” she said.
“Students can ask questions, understand the challenges and opportunities, and start to picture themselves in those roles in the future.”
The Destination Doctor initiative is part of the broader Regional Medical Pathway, a partnership between CQUniversity, The University of Queensland, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service. The initiative aims to grow a locally trained medical workforce by supporting students from regional areas to pursue medical careers and practise in their communities.
Dr Fenning said programs like Destination Doctor are essential to attracting and retaining doctors in regional, rural and remote areas.
“We want students to feel confident that they can pursue a medical career without having to leave their communities behind,” he said.
“It’s about building the vision of a connected and clear pathway, so more students choose to study and practise in regional Queensland.”
For many students, the experience offered a first look at the possibilities within medicine—and the confidence that a career as a doctor could be within reach.
For more information about the program, visit CQUniversity’s Regional Medical Pathway page.
