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Dr. Katelyn Costello is a Clinical Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Rural Health, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Otago, where she serves as Co-Director (Assessment Lead) for the Rural Medical Immersion Programme (RMIP). She is pursuing a PhD in the Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, with her research centered on improving rural medical workforce outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand. Originally from a semi-rural area on the outskirts of Christchurch, having attended Lincoln High School, Costello enrolled in the University of Otago School of Medicine and participated in the RMIP during her studies in Greymouth. Following medical school, she completed a rural hospital run in Ashburton, a rural general practice placement in Queenstown, and worked in Kaitaia. These formative experiences motivated her to train as a rural generalist. She now practices as a rural general practitioner and holds the position of Education Lead at Queenstown Medical Centre, while mentoring students through her leadership role in RMIP.
Costello's research investigates predictors of rural medical practice among graduates. She is lead author on the 2026 BMJ Open publication 'Predictors of rural medical practice in Aotearoa New Zealand: a national outcomes prospective cohort study,' co-authored with Garry Nixon, Tim Stokes, Chris Frampton, Janine Lander, and Tim Wilkinson. This world-first study analyzed longitudinal data from medical graduates, demonstrating that dedicated rural immersion programmes like RMIP significantly increase the likelihood of rural practice, though broader efforts are needed to address workforce shortages. Additional work includes 'Reflection: one journey, two deaths, multiple perspectives.' Her contributions earned her the Hauora Taiwhenua Emerging Rural Educator Award. Through RMIP leadership and clinical practice, Costello plays a key role in shaping rural health education and workforce strategies, influencing medical training to better serve rural communities across New Zealand.
University of Otago's national study confirms rural immersion training like RMIP boosts rural doctors 6x, but expansion needed for shortages. Explore findings, programs, and future.
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