• Charles Sturt University welcomed a $100,000 donation from Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations (Cadia) to support the new School of Rural Medicine
• The University hosted a visit by the Cadia general manager on Wednesday 18 May at the Orange campus
• The donation contributed to the purchase of the latest simulation equipment for students in the Doctor of Medicine

Students studying the Doctor of Medicine at Charles Sturt University will sharpen their skills on the latest medical training equipment thanks to a $100,000 donation from Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations (Cadia) to the School of Rural Medicine.

University representatives thanked Cadia on Wednesday 18 May when the University hosted a visit from Cadia General Manager Mr Aaron Brannigan who inspected the new equipment which was on display in the Simulation Ward.

The funding enabled the purchase of training equipment to support students throughout their studies in Orange. This included the purchase of two defibrillators and a range of simulation equipment such as Catheterisation Trainers, a Tube Feeding Simulator, Advanced Breast Examination Trainers, and an Advanced Birthing Simulator.

In total, the School of Rural Medicine will receive more than twenty new pieces of equipment which will contribute to providing students with an extraordinary educational experience.

Chief Executive Officer of the Charles Sturt Foundation Trust Ms Sarah Ansell praised the support the University had received from community partners such as Newcrest.

“Our medical school received an overwhelming response from students who wish to become doctors for their communities in rural and remote areas,” Ms Ansell said.

“Support from community partners such as Newcrest enables us to provide students with the very best start to their careers which is crucial in bridging the gap between the quality of healthcare offered to country residents in comparison to their city counterparts.”

Second-year student in the Doctor of Medicine Ms Miranda Eyb said she was grateful for Cadia’s contribution to the School of Rural Medicine.

“I am really looking forward to working with the new training equipment,” Ms Eyb said.

“It’s another example of how country medical students no longer have to leave their home communities and relocate to the big city to pursue a world-class education.”

Cadia General Manager Mr Aaron Brannigan said Cadia was pleased to provide support to the program which focuses on developing medical professionals for rural and remote areas.

“Through the Cadia Legacy Fund, this donation will provide world-class equipment to students at the School of Rural Medicine ensuring they receive the highest quality learning opportunities,” he said.

“The equipment will provide realistic, life-like scenarios to train students with the skills required as future medical professionals.

“It is essential that communities in rural and remote areas have the same access to health care services as those in metropolitan areas, and the School of Rural Medicine will play a vital role in addressing shortages of medical professionals in regional areas.”

All equipment purchased from Cadia’s donation will be used by students enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine, a five-year undergraduate degree offered by Charles Sturt and Western Sydney University through the Joint Program in Medicine.

The purchase of this equipment is the first stage in a broader vision by Charles Sturt to establish a fully integrated simulation centre at the Bloomfield Medical Centre site in Orange, which has the potential to provide community-wide benefits.

ENDS