mmg.com.au

Deniliquin has gained two medical professionals with the recent introduction of Dr Ben Sodunke to the Deniliquin Medical Centre team.

Dr Sodunke (pictured) and his wife Shola moved to Deniliquin last month.

He is the first new doctor to be added to the medical centre roster, and Shola is an intern pharmacist at Deniliquin Pharmacy.

The couple came to Deniliquin a few weeks before Dr Sodunke started seeing patients so they could explore the town.

And they have liked what they have seen.

‘‘I fell in love with the town and people — everyone has been very friendly,’’ Dr Sodunke said.

‘‘My wife said when people realised she was new to the town, they were very welcoming.’’

Dr Sodunke said he was drawn to the GP (general practitioner) position at the Deniliquin Medical Centre because of the chance to work alongside other medical professionals.

‘‘I’ve always wanted to work as a GP, and this was a good opportunity that I thought was appropriate for me.

‘‘I love the centre, it provides a community to learn and share with others.

‘‘By working in a group practice, it allows me to improve my skills by engaging with experienced doctors.

‘‘I was also hoping to get the opportunity to work at the hospital.’’

Dr Sodunke and his wife came to Australia from Nigeria 2 years ago, where he studied a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery.

His parents are still in Nigeria, and his siblings are living in the United States.

‘‘I chose Australia as I wanted to be different,’’ he said.

Prior to moving to Deniliquin, Dr Sodunke worked as an emergency doctor in Mackay, Qld, and Shola worked in a pharmacy in Gimpie while studying to be a pharmacist.

Now they are in Deniliquin, Dr Sodunke said they hope to stay for a while.

The couple also hope to join some community groups once they have settled in.

‘‘I like music, soccer and tennis,’’ he said.

‘‘I’m also hoping to go to the Fishing Classic and see what it’s all about.’’