I am a proud Gundungurra woman who has grown up on Palawa country, Tasmania. From a young age, I have had a deep interest in health and medicine, with my own experiences with illness sparking my curiosity, which has only developed deeper over the years. Due to health issues, I have followed an alternate path to be where I am today, however, my experiences have provided me with a wealth of knowledge and perspectives I am extremely grateful for. My personal experiences allow me an ability to genuinely empathize with patients and individuals struggling, while also interacting with all individuals with increased awareness of the diversity of the human experience and the considerations required for the inclusivity and connection that is important to health care.

My connection to Aboriginal community both in NSW and Tasmania fuels my strong drive to work to correct the significant disparities in health care and health outcomes faced by Aboriginal people today. This has been a driving force that makes me deeply determined to use my access to education and ability to pursue a medical career to ensure I can make a positive change and improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal people and disadvantaged individuals and communities.

Through my personal life experiences, as well as work experiences in Aboriginal youth justice, I have developed a deep passion for improving health care in disadvantaged individuals and communities. From these experiences I have become aware of the significant disparities in health care and psychosocial support faced by Aboriginal youth, as well as the significant discrimination and inequity the Aboriginal population continue to face in the health care system. As a qualified medical practitioner, I intend to use my neurobiology research background to pursue further research on the predisposition of Aboriginal people to specific neurological, mental health or substance abuse disorders, and contribute practically to the development of improved healthcare understanding, prevention, treatment and management of Aboriginal and Torres strait islander people.

I intend to gain experience in rural communities, to develop my understanding of important perspectives, I hope to use the knowledge and understanding acquired from these experiences to work with diverse communities, not only providing the best healthcare possible but also using my experience and knowledge to promote the needs of the community and advocate for positive change towards improved health outcomes for Aboriginal people. I hope to continue to be involved in research expanding on my past contributions and I hope with the wealth of experience I intend to obtain that I will be able to contribute to educational positions, sharing perspectives and promoting discussions and learning around both First Nations health and culturally informed health care, to assist in the development of future health care professionals that will continue to facilitate positive change.

This term has been one of the most formative periods of my medical education so far. I had the opportunity to rotate through a diverse range of clinical units including Neurology, Rural General Medicine, ENT/Neurosurgery, Upper GI Surgery, and Paediatric Emergency Medicine. Each placement brought its own unique challenges and learning experiences that have significantly deepened my clinical knowledge, practical skills, and personal understanding of the role I hope to play as a future Aboriginal doctor.

In Neurology, I gained a deeper understanding of complex neurological conditions, particularly in the context of chronic disease management and the long-term impact these conditions can have on patients and families. It was both intellectually challenging and rewarding, requiring me to think critically about diagnosis and care, especially in patients with limited access to services, something that resonated strongly with health access issues faced in Aboriginal communities.

Rural General Medicine was a standout experience. Working closely with a rural community offered a more holistic approach to patient care and allowed me to appreciate the unique strengths and systemic challenges in rural healthcare. I learned how vital adaptability, continuity of care, and culturally safe practice are in these settings. This term strengthened my commitment to returning to work in rural and Aboriginal health in the future.

My Surgery terms, particularly in ENT/Neurosurgery and Upper GI, were incredibly valuable. In ENT/Neuro, I was fortunate to work with a leading paediatric neurosurgeon who not only welcomed me into the operating theatre but created a culturally safe and supportive environment. This space allowed me to grow in confidence and skill and affirmed the importance of representation and mentorship in surgical specialties. In Upper GI surgery, I developed a greater appreciation for surgical technique, perioperative care, and the collaborative nature of surgical teams. It also pushed me outside my comfort zone in terms of clinical decision-making and patient communication.

Finally, Paediatric Emergency Medicine gave me first-hand experience in acute care, paediatric communication, and family-centred practice. It was fast-paced and emotionally intense at times, but it reaffirmed my love for working with children and families, and strengthened my resilience and ability to work under pressure.

Each of these units has not only added to my medical knowledge and skills but also reinforced the values I carry as an Aboriginal medical student. Cultural safety, community connection, and access to compassionate care were recurring themes in my learning. These experiences continue to shape how I see my future in medicine, serving with integrity, cultural understanding, and a strong commitment to improving Aboriginal health outcomes.

This term, I significantly strengthened my clinical reasoning, case presentation, and procedural skills—particularly through hands-on experience in surgery and rural general medicine. I also improved my ability to critically appraise research, especially during my time in neurology and through attending academic conferences. An area I’m continuing to work on is time management during high-pressure clinical shifts, especially in fast-paced environments like paediatric emergency, where juggling multiple tasks while maintaining clear communication can be challenging.

During this reporting period, I have been working as a Research Assistant under Dr Jess Buck in the First Nations Childhood Cancer Research Lab. My current project is a literature review on the impact of brain cancer on First Nations peoples worldwide. The review will aim to explore existing data on the incidence, outcomes, access to care, and research gaps related to brain cancer in Indigenous, First Nations and Tribal populations worldwide. The goal is to highlight disparities, identify culturally safe research approaches, and contribute foundational knowledge to guide future work in improving outcomes for First Nations peoples. Additionally, In 2024 I completed a research internship in the Brain Tumour Team at TKI and during my internship, I contributed to a review paper titled “Current gaps in knowledge and future research directions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with cancer”. In April, this review article was published in the Medical Journal of Australia with myself as a Co-author. This was my first publication so it was very exciting for me to see words I had contributed published online in an academic journal!

One of the biggest challenges this term has been balancing the many things I’m passionate about – my medical studies and placements, research, community involvement, and maintaining my own health and wellbeing through training and self-care. Each of these areas is important to me, but managing the emotional, physical, and time demands of them all at once has required constant adjustment and reflection. I’m learning to set boundaries, ask for support when needed, and prioritise rest as much as productivity. The rotary health scholarship has significantly assisted me in this by providing financial support, allowing me to focus on my academics.