Stories from our staff

In their words Straight from our staff, hear why living and working in country WA is so fulfilling - both professionally and personally.
Returning to regional: Dr Nathan Danh’s rewarding residency experience in Karratha Having grown up in Geraldton, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Dr Nathan Danh always hoped to return to regional Western Australia, and WA Country Health Service’s Community Residency Program (CRP) term in Karratha provided the perfect opportunity.
Dr Ella Forkin’s return to care for the Goldfields For Dr Ella Forkin, returning to Kalgoorlie via the WA Country Health Service and WA Health Community Residency Program was more than a career move – it was a chance to reconnect and give back to the community that shaped her.
Dr Jessica Kopec’s journey as a Medical Education Registrar WA Country Health Service Dr Jessica Kopec is a Medical Education Registrar with a deep personal and professional connection to country WA.
A rural rotation that changed everything for Dr Teegan McQuinn For Resident Medical Officer Dr Teegan McQuinn, ten weeks in Kununurra through the WA Country Health Service Community Residency Program offered far more than any usual placement.
From farming to the frontline, Dr Holly Reid’s journey as a Resident Medical Officer Growing up on a sheep and grain farm in Kojonup, Dr Holly Reid has always felt a deep connection to country WA. That connection has shaped not only where she calls home, but also how she practices medicine.
Dr Seth McKenna on life and learning in country WA Growing up in Kalbarri and Geraldton, Seth never saw country WA as a place to leave behind. Instead, it was a place to return to.
Dr Geoffrey Zhang ASPIRED to go country for rural general surgery WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is accepting applications for the Applied Surgical Pathway in Rural Environments (ASPIRE) program - a two-year pre-surgical training initiative for medical professionals pursuing rural general surgery.
How rural training in WA’s Great Southern shaped Dr Ashley Oates’ career WA Country Health Service is accepting applications for the Rural Adult Physician Training, Opportunities and Rotations (RAPTOR) Program - a 12-month pre-physician training initiative designed for junior doctors (PGY2+) interested in a career in rural medicine.
Former athlete turned doctor kickstarts his career back home Former basketball player Dr Jet Hunter has swapped the court for the clinic. Now one of WA Country Health Service’s newest medical interns, Jet is excited to start his medical career at Broome Health Campus.
Dr Marcus Urmoneit is diving headfirst into rural generalism WA Country Health Service District Medical Officer in Anaesthetics and Emergency Dr Marcus Urmoneit is supporting Pilbara communities with an all-rounder approach to healthcare, diving headfirst into rural generalism.
Community comes first for Dr Northover Geraldton Regional Hospital’s Dr Lenna Northover is a Dongara local and one of the record number of medical interns providing care to her community.
Broome gives Dr Ahmed a range of opportunities WA Country Health Service’s Dr Kamran Ahmed says Broome Regional Hospital is a great place to work – it’s only a bonus his days off are spent crabbing and camping.
Geraldton is the place to be for Dr Drake-Brockman Geraldton Health Campus’ Dr Lydia Drake-Brockman is an aspiring rural general practitioner. With a love for the laidback lifestyle, Geraldton is where she wants to be.
Great Southern growing great doctors WA Country Health Service’s Dr Philip Cavanagh is proud to call the Great Southern home, from opportunities to grow professionally at Albany Regional Hospital, to raising a family – the region has it all.
Junior doctor gains invaluable experience at Bunbury Regional Hospital The past two years have seen Dr Xavier Cornwall gain a wealth of knowledge and experience working at Bunbury Regional Hospital as a junior doctor.
Dr Winfield sees endless opportunities in the South West For Bunbury Regional Hospital’s Dr Francis Winfield, professional development opportunities and a laid-back lifestyle is what drew him to country WA.
Country health supporting international junior doctor After migrating to Australia in 2016 from Sri Lanka, Dr Dinesh Fernando found his feet at Kalgoorlie Health Campus.
From snow to surf: How this Canadian doctor landed in Bunbury Emergency Medicine Consultant Dr Hugh Mitenko traded the Canadian ski slopes for the South West surf and hasn’t looked back since.
Adventure and opportunity draw Dr Coleman to country WA Meet Dr Mat Coleman – our Clinical Director of Mental Health for the Great Southern at WA Country Health Service.
Innovation is key to country success for this rural doctor Meet Dr Samir Heble, the Director of Psychiatry for the WA Country Health Service (WACHS).
Emergency physician trades New York City for seaside WA Dr Jason Pierce is an emergency physician based in Bunbury and is a real advocate for what the South West has to offer in terms of lifestyle and real-world medicine.
Forging a path in rural medicine in the Kimberley Dr David Forster has been working at Broome Regional Hospital for 13 years and is a real advocate for what WACHS and the Kimberley region has to offer.
Rural medicine runs in the family for this Pilbara doctor Dr Cherelle Fitzclarence reflects on what it has been like living and working in some of Australia’s most remote regions.
Dr Daniel Laubscher couldn’t pass up the Midwest’s lifestyle and career opportunities Dr Daniel Laubscher is a Senior Medical Practitioner in the emergency department (ED) at Geraldton Regional Hospital – WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Midwest.
Consultant physician builds a life in the Goldfields Dr Sean George is a Consultant Physician in General Medicine and the Director of Medicine at the WA Country Health Service Goldfields.
Dr Steven Blefari says the country is full of opportunity Dr Steven Blefari is a Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry based in the South West at the WA Country Health Service.
Senior registrar switches South Africa for the South West Dr Fay Crocker is a Senior Registrar in Emergency Medicine at Bunbury Regional Hospital in the South West.
The rural generalist making a difference in the hospital and beyond Dr John Van Bockxmeer is a rural generalist working for the WA Country Health Service in the Pilbara region.
The sky's the limit for this Kimberley doctor Based in the Kimberley, Dr Jared Watts is Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology for the WA Country Health Service.
Achieving work-life balance across city and country For Dr Kate Poland, working for the WA Country Health Service provides the opportunity to split her time between city and country.
Dr Paddy Glackin experiences rural practice in outback WA Dr Paddy Glackin worked as an inner-city GP in London for 20 years before he decided to take the plunge and relocate to Esperance in the Goldfields region of Western Australia.
A 20-year perspective on working for the WA Country Health Service Having worked with WACHS for 20 years, there are few people more qualified to speak about the joys of living and working in country WA than Dr Peter Smith.
Kimberley doctor says there's no limit to upskilling in rural practice Trained across anaesthetics, emergency and general medicine Dr Levy says rural practice provides the perfect opportunity to become a medical ‘jack of all trades.’
Job diversity draws consultant psychiatrist to life in the Great Southern From the moment she joined WACHS as an intern, Dr Kelly Ridley felt at home. Now a consultant psychiatrist, the draw of living and working in country is as strong as ever.
Dr Lucia Wang experiences rural medicine in the Pilbara District Medical Officer Dr Lucia Wang has made a significant contribution to rural health since moving to Western Australia in 2010.
Esperance doctor living her dream in country WA Growing up Western Australia, Annette dreamed of being a doctor and travelling around the countryside to help sick people.

Last Updated: 12/01/2026