Welcoming Dr Nwankwo to the Wheatbelt region

In June, the Rural Generalist Pathway WA (RGPWA) Coordination Unit had the pleasure of welcoming Dr Ekeuda Uchenna ‘Ben’ Nwankwo, our newly appointed RGPWA Wheatbelt Director of Clinical Training, to our central office at Curtin University in Perth. Dr Nwankwo, ahead of his move to WA from regional Victoria, visited WA to meet with local teams and participate in key cultural and professional engagements.

During his visit, Dr Nwankwo spent valuable time with the team at the central office before heading to York in the Wheatbelt region with Dr Vinod Pushpalingam, RGPWA Director of Rural Generalist Training. In York, they were warmly received by Jo Potts, RCSWA Regional Training Hubs Project Officer and RGPWA Wheatbelt Medical Education Officer.

Sponsored by the RCSWA Regional Training Hubs, the highlight of their visit was a memorable Aboriginal Cultural Workshop conducted by Ballardong Noongar Elder, Dr Marion Kickett. This enriching workshop brought together rural generalist trainees from the region, Northam Hospital Director of Clinical Training Dr Anna Varone, junior doctors, and newly appointed RCSWA Regional Training Hubs Medical Coordinator, Dr Pip Gray.

Dr Varone described the cultural workshop as "a high-yielding, multifaceted activity," expressing her gratitude to the RCSWA Regional Training Hubs for organising such a valuable event.

The group then met with the Wheatbelt Regional Medical Director, Northam Hospital doctors and representatives from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). This gathering provided an excellent opportunity to welcome new colleagues and discuss engagement strategies for the Wheatbelt region.

Dr Nwankwo extended his thanks to the RGPWA Coordination Unit for the warm welcome, expressing his admiration for the collaborative efforts to assess the progress and workforce needs of the Wheatbelt region. He appreciated the platform to discuss support in collaboration with ACRRM and RACGP and found the visit to York for the Aboriginal cultural workshop both inspirational and heartwarming.

Left: Dr Pushpalingam, Dr Dinara Markhabulina (RGPWA trainee) and Dr Nwankwo. Right: Dr Varone, Dr Kickett and Dr Nwankwo.