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Meet RDN Cadet Morgan See
20th June 2024
Fourth year medical student at the University of Wollongong, Morgan See, is head down in study as he approaches his all-important final med school exams which will take place in a few weeks in Wollongong. However, despite the looming deadline and general busyness of personal and professional life, Morgan jumped at the opportunity to offer a first-hand account of how the RDN Cadetship has impacted his life for the better in the hope of inspiring other medical students to consider a Cadetship when applications open next month.
Growing up in Brisbane, 28-year-old Morgan has always held an appreciation for rural Australia, something that was ingrained in him from a young age with his grandparents all growing up in rural areas of Queensland.
Straight out of high school, Morgan moved to Canberra to study an Advanced Science Degree at the Australian National University (ANU) before he began working and studying a Master of Culture, Health and Medicine part time.
In 2021, Morgan made the move to Wollongong to study Medicine in an effort to combine his love of connecting with people and his passion for medical science.
“Medicine is a vocation requiring you to serve others while, at the same time, it combines my passion for medical science,” he told RDN.
It was during his first year at Wollongong that Morgan found out about the RDN Cadetship whilst at a medical information evening.
“When I came across the RDN Cadetship at the info night, it seemed to fit in with what I am interested in and what I’m chasing,” Morgan said.
“Medicine is the best way I can advocate for people at their most vulnerable time and the Cadetship added another dimension to med school in terms of support,” he said.
RDN cadetships are offered to medical students interested in undertaking a medical career in rural NSW on behalf of the NSW Ministry of Health.
Successful applicants receive up to $15,000 per year for the final two years of their medical degree or for indigenous students $30,000 spread throughout the course of their study. In return, they agree to undertake two of the first three years of their hospital training in an eligible rural NSW hospital.
Morgan credits the Cadetship for offering more than just financial support but also networking opportunities, placements, connections and for “broadening the med school experience”.
“It’s unique; it provides an extra layer of support in medical school and professionally,” he said.
“Its biggest offering is a supportive network – from the cadet weekends and conferences at Coogee, it’s the best representation of like-minded people.”
Over the last few years, Morgan has completed a number of placements which only reinforced his desire to work in rural or regional areas and helped him determine his ideal career path.
“Over the last few years, it’s reinforced an interest I have in regional ophthalmology in the long term. That comes from a placement undertaken with Lions Outback Vision in the Kimberly in WA which was a very inspiring experience. RDN was also able to organise the Outreach Dubbo Public Eye Clinic placement,” he said.
For the last year, Morgan has had first-hand experience working regionally whilst undertaking a longitudinal 12-month placement at the Clarence Valley Regional Training Hub where he was based full-time at Grafton and Maclean Hospitals.
“It’s a very personalised experience,” he explained. “Working in a regional town you work so closely with consultants but also having autonomy and you’re treated like an individual rather than one of many junior doctors. You certainly feel like a valued member of the community.”
Whilst Morgan is still waiting to hear the outcome of where he will be based next year for his internship in regional NSW, his short-term goal is to set off for a 6-week placement following his exams to further broaden his skills internationally.
“Regardless of where you end up, if you have specific interests, RDN is able to support that with links to mentoring and placements to put your best foot forward,” he said.
Learn more:
Learn more about the RDN Cadetship program offered by RDN on behalf of the NSW Government:
Applications open 15 July at 9am and close 5 August at 9am, 2024.
