That passion eventually led her to the Rural Doctors Foundation, where she now volunteers while juggling the demands of medical school. With a background that includes working as a Theatre Orderly, Sterilisation Supervisor, and Emergency Dispatcher, Jaide brings a rich and diverse perspective to her volunteer work. She’s not just learning about rural health—she’s lived it.
For Jaide, joining the Foundation felt like coming full circle. It was more than just a volunteer role—it was a way to honour the communities that shaped her and the healthcare workers who inspired her. Through her work, she’s had the opportunity to meet some of the Foundation’s most passionate advocates, including Dr Marian Dover and Cameron Downes. Their stories, filled with compassion and commitment, have made a lasting impression.
“Marian’s journey, in particular, really touched me,” Jaide shares. “Her story was the moment I knew I wanted to follow the rural generalist path. It all just clicked.”
Volunteering has given Jaide more than experience—it’s given her a sense of belonging and purpose. Through writing about public health issues and connecting with rural doctors, she’s not only learning about the healthcare landscape—she’s finding her voice within it.
“To be a volunteer is to be part of something bigger,” she says. “It’s about giving back to the communities that gave me so much, and supporting the doctors who are out there every day making a difference in places where they’re needed most.”
Inspired by her rural heroes
Jaide describes the doctors she meets as heroes—dedicated, selfless, and grounded in their commitment to their communities. Their stories keep her inspired, reminding her why she chose medicine in the first place.
But her journey isn’t just about giving—it’s about growing, too. Volunteering has helped Jaide hone her research and writing skills, deepen her understanding of rural health, and build connections with mentors who are walking the very path she hopes to follow.
Perhaps most importantly, it’s reminded her of the privilege of working in healthcare.
“To be trusted during someone’s most vulnerable moments—that’s not something I take lightly. One day, I hope to stand alongside the same kind of doctors and nurses I’ve admired all my life.”
