Associate Professor Paul Lunney and Dr Samantha Fitzpatrick first travelled to Dubbo as medical students. More than a decade later, Paul has taken up the position as the new Head of Clinical School at the School of Rural Health in Dubbo, while Samantha works as a casual academic.

Associate Professor Paul Lunney and Dr Samantha Fitzpatrick met while studying medicine at the University of Sydney. Their paths crossed near the end of first year when they were placed at the same clinical school.

“We actually met in medical school,” Paul recalls. “We were placed at the same clinical school in Sydney… struck up a bit of a friendship, and it all sort of went organically from there.”

For Samantha, the standout memory of studying at Sydney was not just the academic rigour, but the culture of support. “We were always told that the hardest thing about doing medicine was getting in,” she says. “Once I was in, everyone was there to help me get through. It felt like a really positive, growth-focused degree.”

The pivotal moment in both their journeys came during third year, when they undertook an extended rural placement in Dubbo through the School of Rural Health. What was intended as a temporary experience soon became transformative.

“The passion and support of the tutors and clinical supervisors was phenomenal,” Paul says. “It was really career-shaping for both of us. We thought it would be a nice opportunity to get some diversity in our experience, we didn’t expect that we’d go there and fall in love with the community.”

Samantha’s own background made the opportunity particularly meaningful. Although she grew up in Sydney, her mother came from a rural community. “I was curious about what rural life would be like,” she explains. “Having the opportunity to experience it, without it feeling like a be-all and end-all commitment, meant I actually took it up. If I didn’t have that opportunity, I think I would have been too scared to explore rural practice.”

After returning to Sydney to complete their degrees, Paul and Samantha made a deliberate decision to return to Dubbo, this time as interns. From there, they completed residency and general practice training in Western New South Wales, with only brief stints elsewhere for specialist experience.

“We’ve largely stayed in Dubbo since that year during the degree,” Paul says. “What started as a placement became a conscious decision about the kind of doctors, and people, we wanted to be.”

For both, rural practice offers not only professional fulfilment, but a sense of impact that was difficult to ignore. “There’s such a disparity in access to healthcare and outcomes between metropolitan and rural communities,” Paul reflects. “This is where you can make the greatest difference.”

Today, Dubbo is not just where Paul and Samantha work, it’s where they live, parent, and belong. They are raising two children, alongside their dog, Skipper, in a community they describe as welcoming, active, and deeply connected.

“A lot of our life revolves around family,” Samantha says. “We’re outside a lot, riding bikes, walking, running. We’ve got bushland, free cultural spaces, and even the zoo just down the road. We can say to the kids, ‘Do you want to pick one or two animals and go to the zoo for an hour?’ That still feels very special.”

She is quick to challenge the assumption that regional centres lack opportunity. “We may be a small city, but everyone wants to share their skills,” she says. “There are so many clubs, activities, and communities. I’m even doing wheel pottery at the moment, something I never expected to pick up.”

Paul agrees, noting that the idea of a “deficits narrative” around regional living simply doesn’t hold up. “There’s this assumption that you’re giving something up,” he says. “In reality, there’s often more… more connection, more opportunity, more meaning.”

Paul’s appointment as Head of Clinical School at the School of Rural Health marks a significant milestone, not just personally, but for the community he now serves. “It’s a real opportunity to have an impact,” he says. “Our mission is to deliver high-quality medical education in a rural environment, so we can build a strong, sustainable rural health workforce.”

Paul points to growing evidence that long-term rural placements increase the likelihood that graduates will stay or return. “We’re helping build a workforce pipeline,” Paul explains. He also mentions the University of Sydney’s innovative Doctor of Medicine - Dubbo Stream which welcomes 24 medical students annually, for the duration of their degree. “We've just graduated our first cohort here, which solidifies The University of Sydney’s commitment to improving the rural health workforce.”

For Samantha, teaching feels like a natural extension of her journey. “I still remember my tutors so clearly,” she says. “They made such a significant impact on me, and I want to emulate that.”

Teaching basic clinical skills carries a sense of responsibility. “These are foundations students will build on for years,” she explains. “Last year, seeing students progress from first year to fourth year was incredibly rewarding, you could actually see their growth, and know you were part of it.”

When asked what advice they would offer current students considering rural pathways, Paul is clear: try it. “You don’t know what you’re missing out on until you experience it. It may be your calling and future. At the very least, you’ll carry an understanding and appreciation of rural health into whatever career you pursue.”

Samantha’s advice comes after some thought. “Be curious,” she says. “Be curious about yourself, your peers, and the people you care for. It makes your work, and your life, far more fulfilling.”

What began as a student placement has become a shared vocation, grounded in community, education, and service. For Paul Lunney and Samantha Fitzpatrick, Dubbo is no longer a stepping stone. It is home, purpose, and proof of what can happen when curiosity meets opportunity.