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.

During the second semester of last year, I experienced a period of significant growth both academically and personally as I moved toward the final stages of my medical training. As a fifth-year medical student, this period challenged me to step beyond my comfort zone, deepen my skills, and reflect on the kind of clinician and researcher I hope to become.

One of the most meaningful experiences of the semester was my international elective at Oxford. Entering the placement, I felt both excited and uncertain. I questioned whether I would be able to contribute meaningfully in such an accomplished academic environment and whether I would feel out of place so far from home. However, the experience quickly became one of the most formative of my medical training. I was welcomed warmly by the team and given opportunities to observe complex neurosurgical procedures, including awake craniotomies for brain tumour removal. Seeing the integration of advanced neuroimaging, surgical navigation, and intraoperative monitoring was incredibly inspiring and reinforced the profound impact that innovation can have on patient care.
Alongside clinical exposure, I was encouraged to engage deeply with research. At the beginning of the placement, I found myself learning unfamiliar analysis software and navigating technical challenges that initially felt overwhelming. Through persistence and many hours of self-directed learning, I gradually developed the skills needed to contribute to a research project and ultimately present my work to the lab. That process taught me the value of resilience, curiosity, and being willing to take the first imperfect step when approaching new challenges. What initially felt intimidating became a source of confidence and excitement for future research opportunities.

Equally important during this semester was the completion of my fifth-year biomedical science examinations. These were the most demanding exams I have faced in my degree so far and required sustained focus and perseverance over a long study period. Reaching the end of this milestone was deeply rewarding, particularly because it represented not only academic achievement but also the collective support of peers who have walked this journey alongside me. The friendships and sense of community within medicine continue to remind me that resilience in this profession is rarely achieved alone.

During the semester I also completed clinical placements in paediatrics and general practice. These placements reinforced the importance of compassionate communication, continuity of care, and understanding the broader social contexts that shape patients’ health. They provided valuable perspective on the diverse roles doctors play in supporting individuals, families, and communities across different stages of life.

I am deeply grateful for the support of the Rotary Health Scholarship, which has enabled me to pursue opportunities such as my international elective that would otherwise have been difficult to access. This semester has strengthened my confidence, broadened my perspective, and deepened my commitment to contributing meaningfully to medicine and health research. As I enter my final year, I carry forward a strong sense of responsibility to continue learning, to seek opportunities that challenge me, and to use the support I have received to create positive impact in the communities I hope to serve.