From Moora to national excellence: Dr Anna Kelly’s rural training journey

Growing up on a farm near Moora in WA’s Wheatbelt, Dr Anna Kelly’s rural upbringing laid the foundation for a remarkable medical career.

Now a former WA Country Health Service junior doctor who has completed Basic Physician Training (BPT), Dr Kelly was awarded the Bryan Hudson Medal by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) for the best overall performance in both the Written and Clinical Examinations.

Dr Kelly credits both her rural background and rural training experiences for shaping the values, skills and confidence that supported her success.

“I feel very fortunate to have had such strong support from my family, who prioritised education and instilled in me a strong work ethic,” she said.

“Growing up in a rural community, I also saw firsthand some of the challenges patients face in accessing healthcare.”

Dr Kelly completed her medical degree at the University of Western Australia through the Rural Pathway, which supports students from the regions studying.

Formative experiences at the Rural Clinical School in Busselton reinforced her desire to work outside metropolitan centres.

“I was exposed to excellent clinicians practising in regional settings and saw the value of being closely connected to patients and the community,” she added.

She completed her internship in Albany, followed by her Resident Medical Officer year as the inaugural Rural Adult Physician Training, Opportunities and Rotation (RAPTOR) candidate, also based in Albany. This period was key in preparing her for physician training.

Dr Kelly said rural medicine offers unique and often underestimated learning opportunities.

“I think people often underestimate both the breadth and depth of pathology managed in country settings, as well as the level of dedication clinicians have to their patients,” she said.

“Rural training offers a unique opportunity to provide long-term care, allowing you to build meaningful relationships with patients and develop a deeper understanding of the social and environmental factors that influence their health - particularly when you are living and working within the same community.”

The combination of broad clinical exposure, continuity of care, and strong mentorship helped upskill Dr Kelly for the demands of physician training.

“That mix of complex clinical work and supportive guidance made the next step feel very natural.”

Dr Kelly undertook her first year of BPT in Bunbury, before completing her training at Royal Perth Hospital. She described exam preparation as one of the greatest challenges of training, made manageable by the strong foundations built during her rural years and the support of her networks.

“Achievements like this don’t happen in isolation,” she said.

“This award reflects my community - my family, my study group, my mentors, and the strength of the training environments I’ve been part of.”

Looking ahead, Dr Kelly remains committed to rural practice and encourages junior doctors to take advantage of what’s on offer and rural pathways can offer.

“Growing up rurally brings valuable perspective, and medicine needs people who reflect the communities they serve.”

Dr Kelly’s journey highlights how rural experience and training within WA Country Health Service can equip doctors with the skills, confidence and clinical depth required for success at the highest levels - from country beginnings to national recognition.