As a proud Minag-Wadjari Noongar woman, I strive to strengthen the representation of Indigenous women in the health field, as building a stronger workforce of Aboriginal clinicians, is essential to providing culturally secure care in Indigenous patients.

Throughout my time in medical school, I have naturally been drawn to the teaching of cultural awareness and cultural safety, particularly through the frameworks of clinical yarning and country healing.   As a medical student, I have dedicated time into projects tat further the education of cultural safety teaching, particularly through my role as a Aboriginal cadet at Fiona Stanley Hospital, and as the Indigenous Chair on the WAMSS (Western Australian Medical Students Society).

Through my work as (hopefully) an Indigenous paediatrician, I would like to focus a large part of my career on the Indigenous youth, looking directly at diseases and inherited disorders that disproportionately affect our Aboriginal children.  In particular, I wish to dedicate my studies and research project in Year 3 of medicine, to studying Rheumatic Heart Disease an its disproportionate effects on First Nations children.    Through my time at Perth Children’s Hospital with the Aboriginal Doctors Immersion program, I met with inspiring epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists who are looking to work with Indigenous doctors and med students to research and ameliorate the outcomes that these disease have on our youth.

After completing my rotation this year in paediatrics at Perth Children’s Hospital, it was made abundantly clear that I have a strong desire and interest to potentially pursue a career in this field. I started my placement in the neonatal department at King Edward Memorial Hospital, where I was involved in the care of neonates in the special nursery unit, and was privileged to follow along the journey from birth to care afterwards. I was able to observe and assist the neonatal teams during elective C-sections and the management of the neonate following this, and was even given the opportunity by the parents and team to cut an umbilical cord. It was truly an incredible experience to witness the births of these little babies, particularly even more so when involved in the care of families that have previously experienced child loss and multiple miscarriages.

Following this I completed shifts in the PCH Emergency Department, where I saw a plethora of flu and respiratory viral cases, but also a very wide range of presentations and conditions. I was fully adopted into the team, and was encouraged to review the patients before the team, taking comprehensive histories and
examinations, and present to the Doctor afterwards. These opportunities meant that I was most often the first person to assess these patients, and really allowed me to become a valued member of the team. I gained immense confidence and skills with regards to my history taking, examination skills, and investigations /
treatment recommendations, particularly with such diverse presentations seen in the department.

I really connected to the patients, their families, and the treating teams within the emergency department, and it was a placement I absolutely adored.

A particular enjoyable moment from my placement, was completing a presentation on chronic wet cough/bronchiectasis to my classmates for an assessment. My colleague and myself who completed this presentation did so through the framework of Aboriginal paediatric health and culturally safe management, upon which we received HD marks, and amazing comments from the assessor who subsequently got us into contact with the clinicians working at Koorliny Moort PCH.

Following this presentation, I completed a night shift at the ED, and reviewed a 6 month old Indigenous patient who presented with a chronic wet cough and was previously misdiagnosed with acute viral illness on her previous presentation to the department. I was able to immediately recognise the diagnosis, and worked with my supervising Registrar to ensure appropriate culturally safe management was initiated, and adequate follow up organised. It was a prodigious moment to be able to adequately apply the skills and information I had learnt and presented to my peers just that day, and is an area of medicine I have a proclivity for.

I am currently completing my Obstetrics and Gynaecology rotation at King Edward Memorial Hospital, and have seen a range of different presentations upon completing my shifts within various departments of O+G, such as the labour and birth suites, antenatal clinics, oncology clinics, and family birth centre. It has been an unparalleled experience not only for my scope of medicine, but to witness the continuity of care and expertise the midwives practice.

Alongside my placements, I am completing my Masters of Aboriginal Health, and am currently working towards writing my research proposal on Indigenous Paediatric Health. I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing clinicians within this field, and am very much looking forward to them supervising my work!

This semester has been an incredible experience, providing me with opportunities to refine my skills and abilities, as well as provisioning me with insights and perspectives that will facilitate further learning throughout my medical career.