Regional doctor Katrina Starmer a true bush champion, opens up on her choices

This Aussie knew when she was six exactly what she wanted to do with her life.

Cairns-based Royal Flying Doctor Service medic Dr Katrina Starmer.

Katrina Starmer knew she wanted to be a doctor from the age of six.

It was a toss-up between medicine and veterinary science, but, in her words, she “couldn’t be Fred Hollows if (she) was a vet”. Like the legendary eye surgeon, she wanted to help revolutionise health access.

While her decision to pursue medicine came early, her pathway into rural and remote healthcare was shaped by her upbringing.

A Townsville local, Katrina spent school holidays in the bush, visiting relatives and even working on a cattle station in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

It was there, after sustaining an injury and coming into contact with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, that her career ambitions and life direction collided.

“I saw first-hand what the RFDS did, and that was it – I could see what could be done in rural and remote areas,” she said.

After completing her medical degree at the University of Queensland, including placements in smaller centres such as Roma and St George, Katrina’s passion for country medicine was cemented.

Today, she splits her time between working with the RFDS and as an emergency doctor at Cairns Hospital.

Every fortnight, she flies 200km inland to the tiny town of Chillagoe — population 214 — to run a primary care clinic. She also conducts telehealth consultations with RFDS patients across rural Queensland.

Royal Flying Doctor Service medic Dr Katrina Starmer.

She finds great satisfaction in people who live remotely and can’t access regular medical help.

Katrina is also the founder of Survive 25, a program targeting Year 12 students across Cairns, which offers practical advice on avoiding trauma and misadventure, from spinal injuries caused by diving into rivers to burns from petrol fires and drug or alcohol-related incidents.

“This is a vocation for me – and I get a lot of fulfilment knowing I am hopefully making a difference,” says Katrina, who has been nominated for News Corp’s inaugural Bush Champions awards.

The awards, supported by Woolworths, recognise innovation, leadership and service across rural and regional Australia, with categories including Community Champion, Ag Champion and Young Champion.

Winners will be announced at August’s National Bush Summit in Ballarat, Victoria, to be attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Category winners will receive $2000, with the overall Bush Champion awarded an additional $10,000.

Originally published as Regional doctor Katrina Starmer a true bush champion, opens up on her choices