Student profile: Sarah O’Brien

Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) student

28-year-old Sarah O'Brien was hesitant to study medicine as a mature age student but since moving to Campbelltown four years ago, she knew it was an opportunity she couldn't pass on.

"Western Sydney University has such a community feel and I've only had good experiences at the Macarthur Clinical school," she says.

As a mother of a 4-year-old son, Sarah says choosing to raise a family in the Campbelltown area was a good choice.

"I didn't grow up here but the people and the support I've been given makes it feel like home," she says of her placement at Campbelltown Hospital.

After her degree, Sarah is hoping to practice general medicine in rural communities and says her studies have equipped her well for this.

"There is a very high quality of teaching at the Clinical School. I have been taught by four different doctors, each with their own scope of knowledge and experience."

Her advice for other students hoping to study in the field is to stay committed.

"The degree is challenging but you can't be afraid to try, especially when there's so many specialists and clinicians ready to help you learn," she says.

"Sydney is growing and so is the Macarthur region. Having the clinical school here will support this growth and hopefully encourage students to seek jobs within the region."

Return to NSW Health Minister opens multi-million dollar Macarthur Clinical School