Cadets on the move: A busy May for Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadets

Student Junior Medical Officers and alumni Cadets at RGEN26

May has been a busy and inspiring month for Rural Doctors Network’s Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadets, with two Cadet Weekend Trips and the fourth annual Rural Generalist Engagement and Networking Conference (RGEN) bringing future rural doctors together across regional NSW.

The cadets belong to the Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetship and the Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetship for Indigenous Medical Students programs, run by Rural Doctors Network on behalf of the NSW Ministry of Health. The programs financially support medical students who are interested in undertaking a career in rural health in NSW, and who agree to undertake two of the first three years of their hospital training in an eligible rural NSW hospital. Rural service can be undertaken in major NSW hospitals west of the Great Dividing Range including Tamworth, Dubbo, Orange, Wagga Wagga, Broken Hill and Albury.

The month began in Dubbo, where cadets travelled west for the third Cadet Weekend Trip of 2026. Designed to support and connect the rural medical workforce of tomorrow, the trips give medical students the opportunity to experience life in regional NSW firsthand while building connections with fellow cadets, alumni and local health professionals.

The Dubbo weekend featured a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony at Wilay Gunya Gardens and Function Centre, followed by a cultural immersion experience on Wiradjuri Country, including a guided walk to the Terramungamine Grinding Grooves. Rural generalists welcomed cadets at the Dubbo Cultural Centre for a panel discussion; an invaluable opportunity to learn about the different pathways and opportunities that rural generalism offers. Cadets also toured Dubbo Hospital, heard from consultants and Junior Medical Officers (JMOs), and explored the lifestyle opportunities of the region – from park runs along the Macquarie River to local events and live music.

The momentum continued later in the month as a different group of cadets travelled to Wagga Wagga for the fourth Cadet Weekend Trip of the year, which included a hospital tour and panel discussion with JMOs and alumni cadets.

The Wagga Wagga trip coincided with the RGEN Conference, presented by the Health Education Training Institute (HETI) and the NSW Rural Generalist Medical Training Program team. Held under the theme Celebrating the Rural Generalist – Leading from Every Level, the conference brought together Rural Generalists, educators and health leaders from across NSW to discuss leadership, workforce development and the future of rural healthcare.

Rural Doctors Network was proud to partner with RGEN26, with a current cadet, Dr Pip Kensit, facilitating a session on Junior Medical Officer leadership.

The events reflect the continued strength and impact of the Cadetship Program, which marked its 37th year in 2026. A longitudinal evaluation in 2024 found 64% of surveyed former cadets are now working in rural and remote communities, highlighting the program’s enduring role in strengthening the rural medical workforce across NSW.

Reflecting on the month of activities, RDN’s Future Workforce Program Lead Eleanor Knight said, “May has been a particularly dynamic period for the cadets, marked by site visits to Dubbo and Wagga Wagga as well as the coming together of students, JMOs and alumni at RGEN26.

“It is an exciting time of year, with final year cadets applying for internship positions and preparing for the next stage of their journey. The cadet trips provide invaluable opportunities to engage with inspiring local clinicians, spend time in hospitals, and gain a deeper appreciation of what makes each community uniquely special.

“These experiences equip students to make informed decisions about where to commence their careers, enabling them to transition with confidence and a strong sense of support. Equally important is the opportunity to connect with doctor cadets practising in regional areas and to see them thriving as regional clinicians.”

Related reading:

• Hear from RGEN day one presenters on what leadership looks like in rural healthcare and why it matters at every level. Watch speakers from day two reflect on the importance of wellness-centred leadership and building leadership capability early in medical careers.  
• Study confirms Rural Medical Cadetship provides long-term workforce pipeline for rural health
• Albury welcomes Cadets for first Cadet Weekend Trip for 2026