In this episode of Rural Health – Real Conversations, host Elspeth Radford sits down with third-year medical student Riley Perry, whose deep connection to South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula has shaped his journey to medicine and rural practice. 

Growing up between Strathalbyn, Victor Harbor and Middleton, Riley has always called the Fleurieu home. Now studying through the Flinders rural medical pathway and completing his clinical year in Goolwa, he shares how his upbringing, family experiences, and time working in healthcare have fueled his drive to give back to his community. 

Listeners will hear Riley reflect on his early life on a sheep farm, the personal challenges that inspired him to pursue medicine, and the sense of purpose he’s found through hands-on clinical experience in regional settings. From supporting emergency cases in the local hospital to caring for patients in his community clinic, Riley’s story captures the unique rewards of learning and practicing in a rural environment. 

He also discusses the tight-knit teaching model of the rural program, the benefits of one-on-one mentorship, and how living and studying close to home has strengthened his sense of belonging. With plans to complete an international placement before returning to work in regional South Australia, Riley’s story highlights the growing appeal of the state’s new South Australia Rural Medical Program, offering students the chance to complete their entire medical degree in a rural setting. 

Warm, grounded, and full of insight, Riley’s journey is an inspiring reminder of how rural roots can grow into a fulfilling medical career that gives back to the communities that raised us. 

🎧 Tune in to hear Riley’s story and discover what makes rural medicine such a rewarding path