RGPWA Trainee Sets Sights on Bunbury for Internship
Dr Rowan Berger and his family.
Meet Rural Generalist Pathway WA (RGPWA) trainee and WA Country Health Service (WACHS) intern Dr Rowan Berger.
Joining WACHS as one of the 2024 record number of medical interns, Rowan now calls Bunbury home and has commenced his 12-month placement at Bunbury Regional Hospital.
Rowan has had an interesting pathway leading to his career in medicine. From an apprentice mechanic to an outdoor instructor, he then took an interest in his wife’s nursing studies and decided to become a career paramedic with St John Ambulance WA.
The skills he learnt took him and his wife to Vanuatu for 18 months in 2015 to share this training with others and give back to the community. Here, he made friends with two Australian General Practitioners who suggested he consider a career in medicine.
“Through a postgraduate pathway, I was able to land a spot in medical school and I’m now a proud junior doctor,” Rowan said.
“I’m looking forward to learning from senior doctors and gaining valuable experience before entering rural generalist training.”
"Being part of the RGPWA as a student and now as an intern has been invaluable in planning my career as a future rural generalist."
"There is a saying that 'you don't know what you don't know' which is true for any new arrival to an area."
Rowan credits RGPWA South West Director of Clinical Training and rural generalist, Dr Adam Bancroft, with inspiring him to push forward.
“Being part of the RGPWA guided by Dr Bancroft has given me the confidence that I will be getting the most out of the opportunities in the South West," Rowan added.
During his spare time, Rowan and his young family love spending time outdoors and try to get out as often as they can.
"The great thing about living in the South West is its close proximity to the beach and bush with a climate conducive to outdoor activities," he said.
Rowan and his family enjoy cycling in all its forms - road, gravel, mountain biking - and are lucky to have some great mountain biking spots nearby, including the Munda Biddi Trail extending 1000km from Perth to Albany.
"On a weekend you will probably find us exploring a little town, going to an agricultural show (Brunswick Show was a highlight), trying out a new park like the Donnybrook Apple Fun Park or relaxing at home in the backyard.
“We also inherited a few chooks last year from some colleagues moving to Albany and have enjoyed having them scratch around our yard and give us the odd egg or two,” he added.
Aspiring to become a rural generalist? Join the RGPWA and be supported throughout your training journey and beyond. Visit the RGPWA website to find out more information or contact the RGPWA Coordination Unit on (08) 6553 0873 or email: ruralgeneralist@health.wa.gov.au.