Rural Doctors Association of Tasmania (RDAT)
We are a member organisation representing the interests of rural doctors in Tasmania and working hard to ensure equitable access to quality and safe medical services for our rural communities. Our challenges are unique from the mainland, and it is important to ensure that rural issues are front and centre of policy development in Tasmania. Our work is supported by the team in RDAA and the work they do at a national level.
PRESIDENT
Dr Ben Dodds
Ben grew up in north-west Tasmania and graduated in Medicine from the University of Tasmania in 2017. He trained at the University’s Rural Clinical School for the clinical years of his degree. He spent the subsequent years working at the North West Regional Hospital, Mersey Community Hospital and West Coast District Hospital, and in General Practice in Burnie.
He also recently worked in Palliative Care in north-west Tasmania, providing support to patients who have life-limiting diagnoses. He successfully completed his Clinical Diploma in Palliative Medicine while working with the Palliative Care Service. Ben recently joined Ochre Health in Scottsdale and Bridport as a Rural Generalist Registrar, which includes training in General Practice, Emergency Medicine and an Advanced Generalist Skill.
He also works part-time at the University of Tasmania’s Launceston Clinical School teaching medical students in their final years of study. His current focus is online learning curation and clinical skills simulations. Ben is a passionate advocate for Rural Medicine and improving health outcomes in rural and remote Australia. He is actively involved as a Board Member of the Rural Doctors Association of Tasmania (RDAT), and is also RDAT’s representative on the RDAA Board.
When not working, Ben spends time with his fiancée Ashley and their two cats Oliver and Delilah. They also enjoy camping, cheese and a fine Tasmanian beverage.