About Us!
Boots to scrubs in a nationwide campaign that aims to inspire, empower, and support rural women to pursue a career as a rural doctor. By actively supporting and inspiring more individuals from rural backgrounds to pursue medical careers, we can address the pressing need for rural doctors that our communities urgently require.
Our mission is to break down the barriers that keep rural women from accessing education and opportunities in healthcare. Through scholarships, mentorship, educational resources, and live events, we offer the support and guidance needed to help them pursue their dreams of becoming doctors. We provide practical tools like school seminars, information nights, UCAT and interview training, and career guidance—ensuring rural women have the confidence and resources to navigate the journey to medical school successfully.
At Boots to Scrubs, we believe rural women have the potential to transform healthcare in their communities. By connecting them with the right support, we’re building a future where they can thrive in the medical field and make a lasting impact on rural healthcare systems.
The Inspiration
Our female founders grew up in remote towns with limited access to mentors and medical role models, experiencing firsthand the challenges and lack of information there is surrounding the application process and expectations of entering the medical field.
It is for this reason we are dedicated to making the pathway easier for rural women, while also addressing the rural doctor shortage that we are all currently facing.
Australia faces a critical shortage of medical practitioners in rural and remote regions, resulting in poorer health and well being of these communities in comparison to their metropolitan counterparts. Australians living in rural and remote areas have higher rates of chronic conditions and are hospitalised at twice the rate of those living in metropolitan areas. Unfortunately, despite a decline in full time medical practitioners in the country, only 17% of medical students in 2020 indicated that they wanted to work in regional, rural or remote areas. As medical students, we recognise the importance of addressing the inequalities these hardworking and resilient communities face in achieving their healthcare goals.
Research indicates that students with a rural background are 4.1 times more likely to return to rural areas for their careers, and women have a higher propensity for pursuing rural medical careers. However, many rural women perceive medicine as unattainable. Our goal is to change this mindset by showcasing the opportunities available in rural medicine and providing the necessary support.
Numerous remarkable and inspirational rural women already assume pivotal roles in the health of their community; however, there is certainly a great pool of talented country women who possess untapped potential to pursue a career in medicine. The sad truth is that many of these women have been hindered by the lack of adequate support and opportunities to explore this path.
Our Scholarship Program!
Our scholarship program is designed to support first-year female medical students from rural backgrounds as they embark on their journey into medicine. These scholarships not only provide financial relief but also include year-long mentorship by inspiring women already thriving in rural medicine.
The scholarships are flexible and can be used to assist with relocation fees, textbooks, accommodation costs, online study resources, general living expenses, and any other expenses encountered throughout the challenging journey of medical school.
By easing these financial and emotional burdens, the Boots to Scrubs Scholarship empowers students to focus on their studies and make a meaningful impact in rural healthcare.
Our Mentorship Program!
Our mentorship program is designed to guide and support you through the sometimes overwhelming first year of medical school. Each scholarship recipient is paired with an inspiring mentor—either a fellow female medical student or a medical professional with experience in rural healthcare.
Your mentor is there to be your go-to person throughout the year. Whether you have big questions about your studies, career, or rural health, or simply need someone to lean on when times get tough, they are there for you. This program fosters a connection that goes beyond advice, providing encouragement, understanding, and support to help you navigate the challenges and triumphs of your medical journey.
At Boots to Scrubs, we believe that no question is too small and no hurdle is too big when you have someone in your corner.