Emily Champion’s determination to become a doctor is inextricably linked to her lifelong love of skiing.
And when she moved to Burnie to study medicine at the University of Tasmania’s Cradle Coast campus, she was able to combine both of those passions.
“I think the seed was first planted when I was 11 years old,” she said. “I had a quite a major skiing accident and had a lot of medical care after that in hospital.
“I really saw the impact that the doctor can have on the patient's experience, and their family, and it inspired me to want to become that person.”
Having grown up in both Sydney and the regional NSW town of Jindabyne, her own personal experiences also inspired her interest in rural health.
“Seeing the difference in healthcare access between the city and regional areas made me want to help close that gap,” she said.
Emily started skiing at four and joined the Australian Cross Country Ski Team at 14, making her the youngest member at the time. Since then, she’s been selected for the Australia Team eight times, including at the World Junior and Under 23 Championships.
Now entering her second year of her Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine, Emily has been able to continue her dedication to skiing thanks to a scholarship from the University’s Elite Sports Program.
Emily was looking for universities with dedicated rural health programs when she discovered the University of Tasmania’s Rural Clinical School, part of the Cradle Coast campus in north-west Tasmania.
The combination of great facilities, a regional focus, and a beautiful location made the decision an easy one.
“It just looked so beautiful,” she said. “Being able to look from the classroom to the ocean is something that I don't know if you can do at any other university in Australia.
“And just being able to go outside and, you know, in between class, walk on the beach is just incredible.”
The Cradle Coast campus gives students early hands-on experience through simulation labs at the Rural Clinical School. The small classes and close teacher relationships also create a strong sense of community and support that Emily finds invaluable.
“The teachers know us personally and check in on how we’re going. It makes a big difference.”
Emily lives in the West Park Villas, part of the available on-campus accommodation with other medical students.
According to Emily, one of the big advantages of studying medicine in a regional area, and doing placements at regional hospitals, is that she gets a much broader range of experience.
“Being a rural hospital, you're the first point of call for emergencies for a 180 km radius. So you see a lot more than you might in a usual hospital, a whole range of cases, which makes it really interesting and actually increases the exposure you get.
“I think rural training increases your skills and opportunities so much more than a city might.”
Emily hopes to stay in Tasmania as a rural doctor once she graduates, continuing to build her career in the North West Coast region she has come to love.
“Ten months ago, I didn’t know I’d be living here,” she said. “Now I can see my future in Burnie, close to the coast, close to the mountains, and doing what I love.”
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