Indigenous Health Scholarship Program

I am a proud Turrbal woman and a determined first year Doctor of Medicine student at Flinders University who aims to provide evidence-based and holistic care. I have a strong interest in cardiovascular health and Rhematic heart fever. I am committed to improving indigenous health and wellbeing through all stages of life. While working in a rural hospital I discovered I was most passionate working in and interreacting with patients and clinical education on Rhematic Heart Disease and Cardiovascular Disease. After working in the hospital this had sparked my interest to study medicine. I have always been intrigued by anatomy and physiology of how the body works; this one massive machine running off different systems.

My name is Madison Ludwig. I am a proud Gurindji and Kungarakan woman from Darwin, Northern Territory. I have spent most of my life living in Darwin, but did relocate to Perth to study my undergraduate degree in Nursing. Since high school, I knew that I wanted to one day work in healthcare and after 4 years of nursing, I decided to make the move across and study medicine, and am now in my final year

As a life long resident of the Northern Territory with strong ties to my Aboriginal background, lifestyle and culture, I have been continuously exposed to the shortfall in resources and cultural appropriate policies towards Aboriginal health.   When choosing my career path, improving the health outcomes for my wider community has always guided my choices.

Whilst working as a registered nurse in the Northern Territory I observed a lack of culturally safe communications methods, a lack of consideration of language, culture and health education barriers.

As an Indigenous woman, I am especially passionate about improving the health outcomes of Indigenous communities and breaking down the barriers to accessing healthcare services. Growing up in a rural and remote area and being a Registered Nurse has given me a first hand understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous communities, including limited access to healthcare services and a lack of culturally sensitive care.

I applied and successfully got into nursing and can proudly say I have worked as a nurse for the past 14 years. In this time, I have also completed a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine which has launched many opportunities, including working for Doctors Without Borders. I have worked in remote, low resource settings in developing countries in places such as refugee camps, detention centres and war zones.

I am an Indigenous woman, with 4 children. I have experienced or seen first-hand the barriers and difficulties Indigenous people face when accessing healthcare. I am a registered nurse and chose to become a doctor as I feel I will have greater influence in making real change, towards closing the gap that indigenous Australians currently experience, my people.

As a graduate Registered Nurse, I will play a vital role in educating and providing health to the community through clinically appropriate care that is culturally safe, high quality, responsive and accessible for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Currently working as a dentist in the public health sector in the Northern Territory I am excited to pursue higher education through James Cook University as I endeavour to contribute to positive change and equitable health for people in communities like those in which I am fortunate enough to practice.