Bairnsdale Regional Health Service has proudly welcomed our 2026 interns – a dynamic and diverse group of early-career doctors beginning their journey in rural medicine.
This year’s group brings a rich mix of backgrounds and experiences. Our permanent ten interns hail from Monash University (6), University of Queensland (2), Flinders University (1) and Monash University Malaysia (1). We also welcome five interns on rotation from Eastern Health, who add breadth and metropolitan experience to our teams.
A Strong Start to Their Year
The 2026 interns have hit the ground running. Their first weeks have been full and supportive, including:
- A comprehensive orientation and onboarding program
- Shadowing outgoing interns as they step into their first clinical rotations
- Meeting their medical teams, supervisors and fellow interns
- Completing mandatory training and settling into life at BRHS
- A full calendar of protected teaching and welcome dinners
We can already see them bringing energy, curiosity and collaboration into BRHS.
About the 2026 Intern Program
This year’s program is an integrated prevocational training year aligned to:
- The National Framework for Prevocational Doctors
- Rural Generalist Curriculums of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
Our interns receive weekly education covering the Australian Curriculum framework for Junior Doctors, and protected Rural Generalist Education at BRHS that is procedural, hands-on and deeply connected to the realities of rural generalist medicine. Much of the teaching is delivered by local Rural Generalist trainees or Fellows – people who know the community and the context our interns will be working in.
All interns will complete a General Practice rotation during the year:
- Rural Generalist interns (5): 20 weeks
- BRHS interns (5): 10 weeks
They will also have the opportunity to participate in the two-day Rural Emergency Skills Training course and a communication skills workshop – training that strengthens confidence and competence in rural emergency care.
A Tradition of Growing Rural Doctors
Reflecting on the ongoing success of the program, VRGP Gippsland Coordinator Julie Rogalsky said:
“BRHS offers fit-for-purpose prevocational training for junior doctors wanting to be a Rural Generalist for Rural General Practitioner.
A team-based approach with dedicated administration support, supervisors, training practices and educators is the key to our success. Gippsland has the most Rural Generalist Trainees in regional Victoria and the largest Australian Primary Care Prevocational Program.
Last year, we retained 90% of the BRHS interns in Gippsland and the service proudly supports 20 RGs and GPs trainees training in East Gippsland, from Lakes Entrance, to Mallacoota and Orbost.”
With this year’s intake, we continue a proud tradition: nurturing the next generation of rural doctors and keeping high-quality care close to home for our community.