NewsStudent Login
Search site

Search site

Enquire Now

Why We’re Here

Rural Medical Education Australia (RuralMedEd) is the only health training organisation in Australia graduating a broad spectrum of health practitioners, from high school students, health certificate students, medical students through to General Practice (GPs) specialists.

Training and Retaining Doctors in Rural Queensland

Rural Medical Education Australia (RuralMedEd), formerly known as Queensland Rural Medical Education (QRME) began in 2002 when a group of rural doctors formed an organisation with a vision to ‘train to retain’ doctors in rural Queensland. The initial training was directed at GPs but grew to include medical students and junior doctors.

In 2010, RuralMedEd entered into a partnership with Griffith University which represented the successful collaboration of a large, established and well-resourced university with a flexible, responsive, not-for-profit community-based organisation that is acutely attuned to the changing needs of the rural communities it serves.

RuralMedEd’s flagship LongLook program supports one-to-two year training for Griffith University medical students in rural communities. These longitudinal placements provide an alternative to the model of short-term clinical rotations for metro based medical programs and inspires medical students to consider a career in a rural community. 

The LongLook program addresses medical workforce shortages in rural communities through the achievement of a rural retention rate of 70% for LongLook students who have trained in a rural community for two years.That is – 70% of Griffith University medical students who train for 2 years with RuralMedEd return after their graduation to a career in rural medicine.

RuralMedEd achieved ASQA accreditation in 2021 and as a Registered Training Organisation offers health certificate training for rural students.

RuralMedEd has 18 years experience in successfully graduating rural General Practitioners in the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program for both ACCRM and RACGP Colleges. Following the change in training funding arrangements in 2014, RuralMedEd has continued to successfully deliver private training to AGPT candidates.

Study With UsMeet Our Team
2002
Commenced training of rural general practice registrars in the Australian General Practice Training Program.
2010
In partnership with Griffith University, RuralMedEd attains $8.3M federal funding through Health Workforce Australia for the construction of training and accommodation facilities. These assets lead to an immediate increase in rural training capacity and clinical training. Clinical placements continue to grow every year. RuralMedEd and Griffith University establish the LongLook program.
2012
Clinical Training Centres constructed at Stanthorpe, Warwick and Kingaroy Hospitals and Hume Street Toowoomba. Students accommodation facilities constructed at Stanthorpe, Warwick and Kingaroy. Griffith University Dental Clinic is established in Warwick.
2014
Griffith University School of Nursing and Midwifery and RuralMedEd commenced a rural midwifery program based in Toowoomba.
2016
RuralMedEd purchases student accommodation in Toowoomba to support expansion of the LongLook program Griffith University Dental Clinic is established in Kingaroy.
2018
Griffith University, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service and RuralMedEd collaborate to expand investment in rural health training through the establishment of a training centre at the Dalby Hospital. RuralMedEd purchases student accommodation in Dalby to support the expansion of the LongLook program.
2019
The rural midwifery school offers a LongLook program, with a cohort of 8 students to train for two years in Stanthorpe, Warwick, Dalby and Kingaroy hospitals. A pilot placement program for Year 3 medical students based in General Practices and outreaching to specialist hospital services commences in Toowoomba. RuralMedEd purchases student accommodation in Jandowae to support the expansion of the LongLook program.
2020
RuralMed purchases additional student accommodation in Toowoomba.
2021
RuralMedEd achieves ASQA accreditation and commences a Registered Training Organisation to deliver training in health certificates for rural students.
2022
RuralMedEd builds 8 room student accommodation at Goondiwindi to support the LongLook medical student program at Goondiwindi.
2023
RuralMedEd is awarded a Resources Community Infrastructure grant and constructs a Clinical Training Centre at Chinchilla.
RuralMedEd awarded Destination Australia Scholarships, valued at $15,000.00 per student to complete training in Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance.
2024
RuralMedEd awarded a Medical Research Future Fund grant $938,007.00 Enhancing the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in goal-setting as part of general practice chronic disease management planning and routine health assessments through the development of a culturally safe goal-setting tool. 
RuralMedEd awarded a Resources Community Infrastructure grant and constructed three two bedroom houses at Chinchilla to support a medical student program at Chinchilla.
2025
Coming Soon...!

Our Strategic Objectives

  • Educate
  • Collaborate
  • Innovate
  • Sustain
  • Grow the rural health workforce

Strategic Plan

RuralMedEd is the only health training organisation in Australia graduating a broad spectrum of health practitioners.
Download our Strategic Plan

Mission

Improve rural health in our communities through training, collaboration, research and strategic asset acquisition. Create a health workforce pipeline in rural communities, training high school students for a health career and a pathway to university. Educating Griffith University medical students and rural general practice specialists to retain in the rural health workforce. 

Vision

Educate a highly skilled health workforce in rural communities to meet the needs of rural communities.

Our Values

Collaboration
Innovation
Evidence
Accountability
Passion

Achieving our objectives

With a faculty of highly valued, skilled rural and clinical academics and researchers leading:
  • Griffith University School of Medicine and Dentistry partnership in LongLook.
  • RuralMedEd Training (Rural Health Workforce Australia) – our Registered Training Organisation for rural high school students providing a pathway to a career in a rural health.
  • Continuing Professional Development – our professional development courses for health professionals seeking to develop skills and knowledge.
  • Aspire2Health – our high school program inspiring rural and First Nations Peoples’ students to a career in health.
  • GPrEP General Practice rural Exam Preparation – our innovative general practice training program for the rural medical workforce seeking to attain college fellowship.

Our Board

Established in January 2002, RuralMedEd is a private company, limited by guarantee. All activities of RuralMedEd are overseen by a skills-based Board of Directors. Organisations and interest groups passionate about rural general practice education and training form the membership of the company. The Board has responsibility for the strategic direction, future development and overall operation of the company.

    Mr Phillip Stork

    Vice President (Marketing and Communication) at Griffith University
    Learn More

    Mr Trent Adams

    Deputy CEO at Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Company Ltd.
    Learn More

    Mrs Michelle McKay

    Chief Executive Officer, Adelaide PHN
    Learn More

    Dr Leo Zeller

    Senior Orthopaedic and Spinal Surgeon Toowoomba and Darling Downs, VMO RBH
    Learn More

    Prof Ann Bonner

    Head, School of Nursing and Midwifery at Griffith University
    Learn More

    Mr Stewart Gordon

    CEO of Health Workforce Queensland
    Learn More

    Dr Rebecca Calder

    Rural Generalist ACRRM, General Practitioner, Griffith Alumnus
    Learn More

    Dr Ross Hetherington

    General Practitioner and experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the public policy industry.
    Learn More

    Mrs Julie Reid

    Company Secretary
    Learn More

Our Strategy & Stakeholders

Governance and Member Groups

RuralMedEd has partnered with Griffith University School of Medicine and Dentistry to deliver the university’s rural clinical training, funded by the Commonwealth Government Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program. 

RuralMedEd’s research program is supported by clinical academics living and working in rural Queensland.

RuralMedEd received ASQA accreditation in 2021.


Established in January 2002, RuralMedEd is a private company, limited by guarantee.


All activities of RuralMedEd are overseen by a skills based Board of Directors. 

Organisations and interest groups passionate about rural general practice education and training form the membership of the company.

The Board has responsibility for the strategic direction, future development and overall operation of the company.

Mr Phillip Stork

Vice President (Marketing and Communication) at Griffith University

Phillip is Vice President (Future Students and Strategic Communications) at Griffith University. As a member of the University executive, Phillip is responsible for the University’s brand and communication strategies, future student engagement and media relations.

Prior to working for Griffith University, Phillip held senior roles in Queensland Health and the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Phillip spent over a decade working corporate marketing, communication, stakeholder management and consumer liaison roles in the Queensland and UK health systems.

His marketing and communications work for the Queensland Government received multiple accolades including Australian Marketing Institute and Public Relations Institute of Australia awards.

Phillip is on the advisory board for Griffith Review, Australia’s leading literary journal.

Mr Trent Adams

Deputy CEO at Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Company Ltd.

Trent Adams is a highly experienced strategic operations professional with a specialised focus on compliance and corporate governance. With a passion for driving change and empowering communities, Trent has built a successful career supporting the development and growth of health and community-focused organisations. His expertise spans leadership, operational efficiency, and organisational growth, particularly within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector.

Currently serving as the Deputy CEO at Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Company Ltd, Trent has played a pivotal role in overseeing key divisions such as finance, human resources, and program operations. His leadership has contributed to significant organisational achievements.

Trent is a proud Mardigan man from the Thargomindah/Quilpie regions and is deeply committed to creating positive, sustainable change for First Nations people. His work is rooted in a strong belief in empowering communities to take charge of their own health and well-being. Trent is focused on bridging gaps and improving outcomes for Aboriginal communities. Trent’s experience is complemented by a Certificate III in Business Administration (Clinical).

Mrs Michelle McKay

Chief Executive Officer, Adelaide PHN

Michelle McKay is an experienced Health Executive having held CEO roles over the last 20 years in the public health sector in Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory in Australia and in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service. Michelle also has five years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector in aged, community and disability services, leading services across regional Queensland and the Northern Territory. Currently, Michelle is the CEO of the Adelaide Primary Health Network.

Michelle is a Director of DisAbility Living in Adelaide, an Independent Director of Apollo Care Alliance and a Board member of Health Translation South Australia. Past Director roles include Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Top End Research Partners.

Areas of particular skill include developing and implementing organisational strategy, performance improvement and developing and leading effective organisational and workforce culture change. Michelle has a strong personal commitment to service to the community and a particular interest in aged care and health system transformation.

Dr Leo Zeller

Senior Orthopaedic and Spinal Surgeon Toowoomba and Darling Downs, VMO RBH

Dr Leo Zeller is a Senior Orthopaedic and Spinal Surgeon in Toowoomba. He has previously been the Director of Orthopaedic Surgery, Toowoomba Hospital. He is also a VMO Orthopaedic and spinal Surgeon Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital. Leo is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and is an Examiner for the Fellowship Examination in Orthopaedic Surgery for the college.

He has a Master’s Degree in Health and Medical Law from University of Melbourne Law School 2020 and graduated from University of Queensland MBBS 1985.

Prof Ann Bonner

Head, School of Nursing and Midwifery at Griffith University

Prof Ann Bonner is Head, School of Nursing and Midwifery at Griffith University. She is also a Visiting Research Fellow at the Kidney Health Service, Metro North Health, leading the Kidney Nursing Collaborative Research Centre and a Visiting Research Fellow at Gold Coast University Hospital. She has over 30 years clinical, education and research experience including working two rural universities.

Ann has received NHMRC funding for her research, attracting over $8.5 million in competitive funding. She has over 250 publications and has delivered over 350 peer reviewed conference presentations and invited papers.

Ann is recognised nationally and internationally as an expert nephrology researcher. She is currently the Deputy Chair and Elected Director, Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery, Australia and New Zealand, invited member of the International Council of Nursing Global Education Advisory Group, a member of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Chronic Kidney Disease Expert Advisory Committee, and an Editorial Board Member for several international medical and nursing journals.

In 2021 Ann was inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, and in 2016 she was made a life-member of the Renal Society of Australasia.

Mr Stewart Gordon

CEO of Health Workforce Queensland

Stewart has lived and worked across the South West and Darling Downs regions of Queensland for much of his career. In July 2024, he moved to Wagga Wagga to take up the role of Chief Executive Officer of Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network, before commencing as CEO of Health Workforce Queensland in 2026.

Stewart began his career in healthcare in the early 1990s as an Accounts Clerk at Roma Hospital, before working for approximately four years in community health roles across South West Queensland. He later worked in Queensland Health’s Corporate Office in Team Leader and Manager roles, before returning to South West Queensland in 2004 as District Manager of the Roma Health Service District. In this role, Stewart successfully led the amalgamation of the former Roma and Charleville Health Service Districts, drawing on his strong negotiation, leadership and change management capability.

A highlight of Stewart’s time in Roma was the establishment of an innovative recruitment model to attract and retain staff in critical medical vacancies.

Stewart later held an executive role with the Darling Downs West Moreton Health Service District, where he gained significant leadership experience as Executive Director Rural Health and Aged Care. In this role, he was the single point of accountability for the delivery of health services and aged care across 21 rural hospitals.

His interest in workplace law developed through his role as Executive Director People and Culture with Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, where he led human resource management and corporate services support functions. Stewart has also practised as an employment lawyer in the private sector.

He holds a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing and Human Resource Management, from the University of Southern Queensland. Stewart is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has completed the Executive Strategy Program through Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Dr Rebecca Calder

Rural Generalist ACRRM, General Practitioner, Griffith Alumnus

Dr Rebecca Calder is a Rural Generalist Registrar with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and is currently working in General Practice in Toowoomba and at Oakey Hospital. She has a Diploma of Advanced Obstetrics and Gynaecology and also advanced skill training in Emergency Medicine. Rebecca is an Alumni of Griffith University, graduating with a Doctor of Medicine in 2016.

Rebecca completed both her clinical years of Medical School through the RuralMedEd (formerly Queensland Rural Medical Education) Longlook Program, undertaking training years in both Kingaroy and Goondiwindi and travelling on their placement program to Kiunga, Papua New Guinea in her final year.

Rebecca has also served as the National Secretary on the National Executive of the General Practice Student’s Network (GPSN) in 2016.

Dr Ross Hetherington

General Practitioner and experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the public policy industry.

Dr Ross Hetherington is a rural GP with more than 30 years experience in rural Queensland hospitals and GPs. He is member of the DDHHS Board Executive and Board Safety and Quality Committees and holds the following positions: Board Chair, RHealth Chair, Rural Health Workforce Australia, Foundation member, Regional Health Board, Longreach Board member, Health Workforce Queensland Board member, Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited Member, Aviation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand.

He was also a foundation member of the Menopause Society of Australasia. Ross co-founded the Central Queensland Rural Division of General Practitioners.

He holds a number of aviation and medical memberships, and is a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME). Ross has held previous directorships with Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) and the Australian Rural and Remote Workforce Agency Group.

Mrs Julie Reid

Company Secretary

Julie is the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of RuralMedEd with expertise in accounting and finance.  Julie joined RuralMedEd in 2005 after previously working in a commercial finance role.  Julie has an interest in corporation law and corporate governance and has volunteered in finance roles for local sports clubs.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Southern Queensland, a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University and is a Certified Practicing Accountant.

She has previously served on the Board of RuralMedEd during its time as QRME.  She is also a Commissioner for Declarations and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.