Dr James Sterrey’s path to regional medicine wasn’t a direct one. As a city boy with a science degree, it was while employed as a research scientist, on Parkinson’s Disease, that he realised working directly with patients, rather than in a laboratory, would be more fulfilling. So, he turned to medicine, and left Sydney for a regional placement in Orange. There he found a collegiate environment where junior doctors were both treated well and given broad enough experience to really find their wings. And he quickly grew to love the regional lifestyle, and the time it gave him to pursue his hobbies. After spending periods working as a doctor as far afield as Broken Hill and Alice Springs, he’s now set to become a regionally based ophthalmologist, happily ensconced in a speciality he says offers a wide variety of work, both for his mind and his hands.

Dr James Sterrey’s path to regional medicine wasn’t a direct one. As a city boy with a science degree, it was while employed as a research scientist, on Parkinson’s Disease, that he realised working directly with patients, rather than in a laboratory, would be more fulfilling. So, he turned to medicine, and left Sydney for a regional placement in Orange. There he found a collegiate environment where junior doctors were both treated well and given broad enough experience to really find their wings. And he quickly grew to love the regional lifestyle, and the time it gave him to pursue his hobbies. After spending periods working as a doctor as far afield as Broken Hill and Alice Springs, he’s now set to become a regionally based ophthalmologist, happily ensconced in a speciality he says offers a wide variety of work, both for his mind and his hands.

Opportunities for a successful medical career in rural Australia are immense. The Destination Medicine© podcast library has been created to assist anyone who has thought about a career as a rural doctor to make informed decisions and navigate a rural medical pathway with greater confidence.

Each episode of this podcast series brings the story of a doctor and their journey into rural medicine. It hasn't been a straight highway for many; there have been a few bumps, U-turns and bends along the way. How did a city slicker end up living on a farm in the Riverina of NSW? And what happened to the young doctor who had a life changing moment on an isolated highway in the Northern Territory? Well, you will have to listen to find out...and there's more.

With over 23 specialities, 81 fields of speciality practice and 86 speciality titles, making career decisions can seem overwhelming for medical students and junior doctors. For some it is an easy decision, having always known the area in which they want to work, however, for others, the plethora of information and complex selection and admission criteria for training, is daunting.

Our doctors share their candid and fascinating stories so that you, the listener, can have a better understanding of what's involved in pursuing a rural career pathway. Lifestyle counts - and for those who are living in rural and remote Australia, the impact is immeasurable. 

The podcast series, 'Destination Medicine' is a collaboration between four rural NSW Regional Training Hubs - Far West, Riverina, Western and Northern NSW.

Opportunities for a successful medical career in rural Australia are immense. The Destination Medicine© podcast library has been created to assist anyone who has thought about a career as a rural doctor to make informed decisions and navigate a rural medical pathway with greater confidence.
Each episode of this podcast series brings the story of a doctor and their journey into rural medicine. It hasn't been a straight highway for many; there have been a few bumps, U-turns and bends along the way. How did a city slicker end up living on a farm in the Riverina of NSW? And what happened to the young doctor who had a life changing moment on an isolated highway in the Northern Territory? Well, you will have to listen to find out...and there's more.
With over 23 specialities, 81 fields of speciality practice and 86 speciality titles, making career decisions can seem overwhelming for medical students and junior doctors. For some it is an easy decision, having always known the area in which they want to work, however, for others, the plethora of information and complex selection and admission criteria for training, is daunting.
Our doctors share their candid and fascinating stories so that you, the listener, can have a better understanding of what's involved in pursuing a rural career pathway. Lifestyle counts - and for those who are living in rural and remote Australia, the impact is immeasurable. 
The podcast series, 'Destination Medicine' is a collaboration between four rural NSW Regional Training Hubs - Far West, Riverina, Western and Northern NSW.

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