Our Purpose

Our Vision

Leading the way in improving the health of our communities and expanding the horizons of rural health education, research and clinical practice

Our Mission

• Prepare graduates who deliver world-class health care
• Develop pathways for students to enter rural clinical practice
• Research aimed at improving the quality of health, education and well-being of rural people
• Investigate alternative models of rural health service and clinical practice
• Indigenous cultural education in all UDRH activities aimed at improving Indigenous health

Operational Focus

The UDRH has four primary areas of focus education, research, enhancing Indigenous health and clinical expertise.

• Education
  The UDRH undertakes education and training programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the health disciplines. Additionally, the UDRH assists in the coordination of professional education programs for existing health professionals.
• Research
  The UDRH is developing a strong public and population health research program that has been designed to investigate the unique problems associated with rural and regional life in Northern NSW. The underlying principle of the UDRHs research program is to develop and implement solutions to the health problems facing the Northern NSW communities.
• Indigenous Health
  The UDRH is committed to develop strategies that address Indigenous health issues and provide training to ensure that health professionals become culturally aware and sensitive to Indigenous health issues. This plan will be developed in consultation with all the key stakeholders of the Northern NSW region in order to ensure that appropriate health outcome enhancement strategies and goals are developed that meet the needs of the Indigenous population of the region.
• Clinical Expertise
  Each of the full time academic staff of the UDRH undertake clinical loads within the Area Health Service and therefore the UDRHs presence has led to a direct enhancement of the provision of clinical services in the region.