Parkes GP, Dr Kerrie Stewart (pictured) will be familiar to some as their local doctor, but Dr Stewart is also working to ensure trainee GPs in Western NSW are well supported on their journey to becoming GP specialists.
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After completing most of her GP training in Parkes, Dr Stewart became a medical educator for GP Synergy, the regional GP training organisation based in Dubbo.
"As a medical educator I enjoy working within a supportive and progressive education team and I really enjoy meeting and supporting the GP registrars who are studying in rural communities within our region," Dr Stewart said.
"I decided to become a medical educator because as a GP registrar I found that GP training is complex and challenging and I came to appreciate the immense value of the medical education and support that GP Synergy offers its registrars.
"I love that I continue to learn so much, even after finishing my GP registrar training, and it's a flexible, part time position that fits in well with my clinical work and family commitments."
Born in Cobar and growing up near Coonabarabran, Dr Stewart understands what it is like to live in Western NSW and the importance of quality healthcare to rural communities.
"Parkes is a wonderful community to live and work in. It has a great mix of rural lifestyle as well as exciting tourism events and innovative and progressive industry.
"I really enjoy being a rural GP as it is always interesting and allows a great balance for me with my young family," Dr Stewart said.
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GP Synergy CEO Georgina van de Water, said Dr Stewart is one of many doctors that have trained rurally under the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program and stayed on after training to provide valuable primary healthcare to rural communities.
"Since 2002, more than 10,000 doctors have achieved fellowship through the AGPT program nationally.
"Feedback from registrars over the many years that we have been training doctors to specialise as GPs, is that training in a rural setting in the AGPT program offers a rich and rewarding learning environment.
"Local rural medical education teams, like the one Dr Stewart is a part of, play a key role in ensuring the high quality of these learning experiences and high quality healthcare for local communities."
