General News
1 September, 2025
Phoebe plans for long rural medical career
Horsham’s Phoebe Uebergang loves rural life and plans to have a long medical career in her rural community.
Ms Uebergang is currently in her second year of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program through Deakin University’s Rural Training Stream (RTS), which she undertakes in Ararat at East Grampians Health Service.
With a clinical background, Ms Uebergang completed a double degree in nursing and paramedicine, which saw her gain two years of nursing experience in Horsham and a short stint in the Northern Territory, followed by nine years as a paramedic, two years in London and seven years in Horsham and the surrounding towns.
Ms Uebergang said applying to the RTS was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
“I had wanted to study medicine since leaving school but unfortunately didn’t earn a place,” she said.
“I sat the GAMSAT in 2018 but didn’t follow through with applying to medical school as I had just returned from living in London and wanted to remain in my hometown of Horsham and enjoy rural home life for some time.
"After falling back in love with country life, the idea of leaving to attend medical school lost its appeal.
“When the RTS Doctor of Medicine course became available in Ararat I was excited by the opportunity to study medicine but continue living my life in Horsham.”
Ms Uebergang is enjoying the breadth of knowledge the course covers.
“At times there is an overwhelming amount, but it’s been fantastic to challenge my brain and build extensively on my previous clinical knowledge base,” she said.
“My wonderful peers in the second year RTS cohort have also made the course an incredible experience.
"They are the most supportive group of individuals from a variety of backgrounds, all with a common rural connection.
“As so much of the course for us is delivered online, having the regular teaching in Ararat each week and the chance to debrief with each other has been a vital part of the experience for me.”
The structure of the course is also a positive of the RTS, with Ms Uebergang saying a regular day of face-to-face study in Ararat, where both medical science and clinical practice content is covered, helps to cement the teaching presented in lectures.
“We have been very fortunate with the face-to-face teachers we have had in Ararat for both first and second years, where they have shown great support and flexibility with the roll-out of this new RTS course format,” she said.
Ms Uebergang said re-commencing full-time study had been the greatest challenge for her, particularly the study load in medicine, which had surpassed that of her ‘full-time’ undergraduate course.
“Studying doesn’t come easily to me and spending long hours at my desk isn’t something I usually enjoy. However, experimenting with different learning techniques and avenues, has for the most part allowed me to overcome this,” she said.
“Additionally, balancing study, work and life is quite an adjustment. I am very fortunate to have a very supportive team around me that has enabled me to pursue this endeavour.”
Ms Uebergang combines her studies with continuing to work as a paramedic on a part time basis, with the support of Ambulance Victoria, as well as enjoying her other passions of netball, hiking, gym, running, camping and socialising.
Ms Uebergang was encouraging of anyone thinking of applying for the Rural Training Stream to ‘throw their hat into the ring’.
“From my experience, we are all capable of far more than we think,” she said.
“If a career in medicine is of great interest to you, but permanently relocating to Melbourne, Geelong or interstate is not, this course is the perfect opportunity to pursue medicine all while maintaining a rural connection,” she said.
For further information on the Deakin University Rural Training Stream, contact East Grampians Health Service Manager Training and Development Claire Sladdin, on 5352 9404.