Mackay Medical Workforce Strengthened By New Interns

A welcome boost to the region's medical workforce saw 31 intern doctors begin their healthcare careers with Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) last week. Among them are three proud Mackay locals excited to return home and serve their community. In 2025, a total of 38 interns will join the team, with opportunities to rotate through rural facilities in Proserpine and Bowen. These interns will be the second cohort to train under the new intern training framework, gaining valuable experience in both hospital and general practice settings.

Jodie Elliott, Zachary Hunt and Imma Ashraf. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

31 Interns Choose Mackay For Career Growth And Community Impact

Zachary Hunt, a James Cook University graduate from Mackay, chose to stay in the region after experiencing a variety of opportunities at Mackay Hospital.  

“I found that I got lots of different opportunities while in the Mackay Hospital to do different types of procedural skills as well as learning and I found all the supervisors really helpful, so I decided to stay,” he said.

He’s considering further specialisation in Rural Generalism to expand his medical expertise and continue serving his community.

Imma Ashraf, also from Mackay and a James Cook University graduate, has deep roots in the area, with most of her family being doctors. Reflecting on her final years of study in Mackay, she said, "It’s been great…There’s a lot of hands-on teaching and support, which I really enjoy."

She appreciates the guidance and the chance to contribute more than she might have elsewhere.

Jodie Elliott, originally from Sarina, studied at the University of Queensland and is a former physiotherapist.

She shared, "Graduating after 10 years of study felt incredible…I finally get to work full-time and put roots down in a place we want to be long-term."

Mackay was always her top choice, with family and a friendly, supportive environment making it the perfect fit.

Rotations will have an opportunity to gain clinical experience in areas such as emergency, cardiology, orthopaedics, anaesthetics, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, intensive care, mental health, general medical and general surgical.

Mackay HHS Chief Executive Susan Gannon congratulated the new doctors on starting their journey in medicine.

“It’s exciting to welcome first-year doctors to our team and support them as they begin their career with the Mackay HHS,” Ms Gannon said.

“They’re not only bolstering our workforce and making a real difference to our patients, but they’re building the foundations of medical careers that will serve our community and Queensland for decades to come.

“Regardless of where their careers take them, they will develop strong foundations for the years ahead from the guidance of our experienced, dedicated and highly skilled team of Mackay HHS medical professionals.”

Acting Executive Director Medical Services Dr Colin Feekery said the interns will benefit from Mackay HHS’s friendly and welcoming atmosphere, its supportive medical culture and their broad exposure to a wide range of clinical cases.

“The interns will gain invaluable clinical experience, which will enable them to develop advanced skills as a foundation for their future medical careers,” Dr Feekery said.

“Their diverse placements and experience in the Mackay HHS will also help them make an informed choice when it comes to which speciality they wish to pursue in the future.

“Our hope is that by providing excellent training experiences, many of our 2025 interns will also choose to build their future careers in the Mackay region.”

31 intern doctors have joined the Mackay Hospital and Health Service so far in 2025, gaining valuable clinical experience in various medical fields. Photo supplied: MHHS

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