Working towards my goal of becoming an Aboriginal doctor I believe that I can contribute in numerous ways to help our mob when I am qualified. I aim to provide support and advocation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families. One of my aspirations is to work for a First Nations healthcare service. I strongly believe that familiarity and understanding through empathy and lived experience will be a valuable contribution to improving health and well-being. In a health service I may be the first contact for patients coming in and I believe I can provide a culturally safe experience for mob.

Having an Aboriginal doctor can help patients feel more comfortable in a daunting setting, however due to the low numbers of First Nations Health workers, we require allies to be on board as well. Creating an environment where all health care workers in a clinic or hospital are culturally safe will be quite a challenge, however it is a passion of mine, and I will do everything I can to help improve this. I am very open about my culture, and I enjoy educating others to the best of my ability. I believe it is non-Indigenous peoples responsibility to educate themselves, however I am happy to do so if I know it will contribute to a better environment.

First Nations People deserve time and respect to feel comfortable in a health care setting, something that is lacking in health services. Many health care professionals focus on the condition and how to treat whilst not taking time to build effective rapport. I endeavour to break down the barriers and treat our people with humility and respect, with a rapport focus initially rather than the condition. If I see there is an issue with a patient not feeling comfortable or not being treated right I will speak up. I believe to move forward and help our people we need more voices and allies, an aspect that I can help with.

During my studies I have participated in community service through an internship program, where I worked at various health care organisations on my university holidays. The experience I have gained through working with health care professionals, assisting patients and being familiar with the hospital setting will contribute to my growth and learning. My background and experience will help me reach my goal to become an Aboriginal Doctor who will be able to provide holistic care.

I am an extremely hard worker who has overcome adversity to get to the position I am in today. I did not think university was a realistic option in my early 20’s and to be training to become a doctor shows my resilience and determination. I will continue to work hard and contribute to our people and help wherever I can as the journey has just begun.

During the first semester of 2024, I completed three rotations in research, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and Orthopaedic Surgery, each lasting six weeks. I thoroughly enjoyed these rotations, as they offered vastly different experiences.

Research Rotation:
I worked with the plastic surgery team on a project focused on hand injuries in female athletes participating in organized sports. My task was to conduct a literature review and identify early evidence in a relatively under-researched area. By the end of the six-week block, I had honed my literature searching skills and compiled a report to present to the faculty.

ICU Rotation:
The ICU rotation was both exciting and nerve-wracking due to the high acuity of patients. Initially, I felt daunted, but I was supported by an incredible team eager to teach and provide a safe learning environment. Doctors were always available to debrief and discuss cases, which enhanced my learning experience. This rotation was particularly hands-on, allowing me to perform physical examinations on all patients during ward rounds and report my findings to my supervisor.

Orthopaedic Surgery Rotation:
Orthopaedic surgery, an area of great interest to me, was the focus of my final rotation. I participated in daily clinics, ward rounds, and surgical theatres. The team encouraged my involvement in examinations and procedures, exposing me to a range of cases, including hip and knee replacements, trauma, low-impact fractures, and ligamentous injuries. My favourite part was the clinic work, where I could assess patients from start to finish and report my findings to a senior doctor. This experience made me feel like I was truly working as a doctor for the first time.

Overall, this semester has been incredibly valuable in preparing me for my first year as a doctor. I have thoroughly enjoyed the course so far and am excited about what the future holds.