My name is Leila and I am a proud Palawa woman and a third-year medical student at Monash University. I was born in Nowra, New South Wales, and spent much of my early life moving across Australia, living in places such as Wagga Wagga, Adelaide and Ballarat. I completed high school at Damascus College Ballarat before beginning my medical degree at Monash University in 2023.

I come from a strong lineage of healthcare workers – both my mother and grandmother were nurses, which inspired my passion for medicine and deepened my understanding of healthcare in Australia. This background, combined with my lived experiences and culture, has shaped my commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Throughout my studies, I have endeavoured to embrace leadership and advocacy roles, including my involvement in Indigenous Student Symposiums and serving as the Pre-Clinical Indigenous Student Representative. I am also an active member of the Weenthunga Health Network, further strengthening my connection to community and culture.

I am deeply passionate about improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. With a strong focus on rural and community healthcare, I aspire to become a General Practitioner dedicated to serving and empowering Indigenous communities.

As a First Nations woman, I understand the barriers Indigenous peoples face within the healthcare system and aspire to be a doctor who honours and respects the identities of my patients. Recognising the critical importance of accessible healthcare in rural areas, I am determined to make a meaningful impact by working as a General Practitioner in these communities.

I am committed to using my education and hands-on clinical experiences to drive positive change in healthcare accessibility and improve patient outcomes.

By dedicating myself to improving health outcomes and fostering a supportive environment for Indigenous patients, I hope to contribute to closing the health gap and ensuring all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples receive the care they deserve.

Semester 1 of 2025 has been a transformative period in both my personal and academic journey, marking the beginning of my first year of clinical placement and the third year of the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine program at Monash University. As part of my degree, I have been fortunate to undertake placement in Warragul, a rural site in Gippsland. This shift from a metropolitan to a rural setting has brought with it unique challenges and incredible opportunities for my learning.

This semester marked my transition from the classroom based learning of the preclinical years to the dynamic and often unpredictable world of clinical practice. Over the past six months, I’ve rotated through various hospital departments, including consulting clinics, endoscopy, the emergency department, surgical wards, theatre, and the medical ward. Each rotation has deepened my understanding of holistic, patient centred care and has allowed me to apply the theoretical knowledge I have built in real world contexts.

One of the most memorable moments of the semester was scrubbing in and assisting with a surgical procedure during my theatre rotation. Standing alongside the surgical team, contributing in a small but significant way, was surreal. This experience reminded me of the privilege and responsibility of being part of a patient’s care. Working with interns, HMOs, nurses, registrars, and consultants has been an incredible opportunity to ask questions and learn from their personal insights and experiences.

Equally humbling has been the openness and generosity of patients, many of whom have willingly allowed me to practice clinical skills and be part of their care team. Their willingness to support my learning has been both surprising and inspiring. These moments have reaffirmed my decision to pursue medicine and reminded me of the profound human connections at the heart of healthcare.

Of course, this semester has not been without its challenges. The transition to hospital life, the increased workload, and the emotional weight of real patient interactions have all tested my resilience. Living away from home for an extended period has added layers of difficulty the loneliness, the need to establish new routines, and developing support systems have all required conscious effort. I have also found it harder to prioritise my own wellbeing amidst the demands of study and placement, but these experiences have helped build my independence.

Academically, I have completed two of four pathology exams along with several assessments and assignments. While I have identified areas for further improvement, I am proud of the progress I’ve made and the effort I’ve put in. This scholarship has significantly reduced the financial pressure and allowed me to focus more fully on my studies. With placement requiring more hours and energy, having the freedom to dedicate time to revision and preparation, without needing to juggle paid work has been invaluable.

Outside of medicine, I have made a conscious effort to stay connected to my interests. I began learning the basics of coding, something I have long been curious about, and recently started reading The Histories by Herodotus which has been a fascinating glimpse into the ancient world. A standout experience from this semester was attending the First Nations Women in Health retreat with the Weenthunga Health Network in May. This retreat was a powerful experience that allowed me to reconnect with culture, meet inspiring Indigenous women from all across Victoria in the health sector, and reflect on my own journey as an Aboriginal woman in medicine. It reinforced the importance of representation, cultural safety, and community in healthcare and strengthened my commitment to use my degree to support and uplift my community.

In my spare time, I have also taken the opportunity to explore some of Gippsland’s beautiful natural surroundings. Walking and hiking have been great ways to clear my mind, reflect on the week, and keep physically and mentally well.

I am deeply grateful for the support this scholarship has provided. It has lightened the financial burden and, more importantly, created space for me to grow, learn, and thrive in this critical stage of my journey. Thank you for believing in me, your support truly makes a difference.