Around 19 new staff members and 11 medical interns and registrars kicked off their first day on Monday.

Hunter New England Health general manager for Northern Tablelands Wendy Mulligan said the intake was a significant achievement for the Tablelands sector.

“The majority of those are for Armidale and a lot of those are graduate nurses,” Ms Mulligan said.

Junior doctor and orthopedic intern Jacob Hampton said he wanted to stay permanently in Armidale after completing his residency.

Mr Hampton, who is originally from rural Victoria, completed the joint medical program through the University of New England.

“I’m a rural boy so I’m very happy to stay rural,” he said.

“[The training] is busy and I feel like certainly things can be very daunting but you just try and put everything you have learnt into practice.

“But you have a lot of support from all of the other doctors as well.”

New oral health practitioner Lisa Yoo started her career working in private practice in Sydney but was longing for a country change.

“I really wanted a change in the work mentality and a better support network,” she said.

Pharmacist Nanae Dividina agreed the country life seemed appealing and wanted an opportunity where she could hone her skill alongside a range of other disciplines. 

“I’m passionate about rural health care and the opportunity to work with nurses, doctors and a wide range allied health professionals,” she said.

“It’s really fulfilling to work with other professionals and gives you an edge when it comes to focusing on patients.”

General practitioner Patrick Jordan also commenced his first day on Monday to train as an anesthetist.

“My intention is to do a lot of rural and remote medicine in emergency and general practice,” he said.

“One of the great things about working in Australian rural practice is you do get to do things like GP anesthetics for elective surgery.”

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall visited the hospital on Monday morning to greet the young doctors as they began their first day on the job.

“Working in a regional hospital setting gives new doctors a wide variety of training, delivered by experienced and capable medical professionals,” Mr Marshall said.

“I’m confident all the doctors, but especially our new interns, Doctors Jasmine Wintour, Katya Oldfied and Jacob Hampton will make the most of the opportunities Armidale Hospital provides.”

The three interns have just begun their first year of medical training, while residents have obtained their general registration, and are now working under the supervision of a specialist.

“I wish them the best of luck in what is sure to be a rigorous and testing professional experience,” Mr Marshall said.