I am a proud trawlwoolway palawa man from North East lutruwita (Tasmania); tebrakunna country, but grew up on Wurundjeri Marin-Balluk country in the North Western suburbs of Narrm (Melbourne). I am also proud to identify with my Italian and Slavic heritage. I am currently in my third year of medicine at Monash University completing my first year of clinical placements.

Outside of my studies, I have experience working as a medical receptionist and administrator in various medical clinics. These roles have offered me insights into the operational aspects of healthcare that would be difficult to experience in my traditional medical studies. I am passionate in contributing to patient experiences and developing strong relationships with patients. I am excited to carry these experiences into my future as a medical practitioner.

Outside of my studies, I have experience working as a medical receptionist and administrator in various medical clinics. These roles have offered me insights into the operational aspects of healthcare that would be difficult to experience in my traditional medical studies. I am passionate in contributing to patient experiences and developing strong relationships with patients. I am excited to carry these experiences into my future as a medical practitioner.

As a future Aboriginal medical practitioner, I aim to contribute in improving Indigenous Health by lessening the effect of barriers Indigenous peoples face in receiving and accessing healthcare. One such barrier is the fear of discrimination in healthcare settings due to individual past experiences and institutional discrimination at a community level. The ability to access healthcare from an Indigenous medical practitioner would promote a culturally safe environment where Indigenous patients are more able to build a strong relationship based on trust.

Despite my future in healthcare, I believe my greatest contribution in improving Indigenous Health will not take place in the healthcare setting. As an active and passionate member within my local Aboriginal community, I have the potential to be the first point of care for my community in an environment that to many, including myself, is the place they feel the most culturally safe. I aspire to one day serve my immediate community by utilising my medical training to integrate health check-ups within men’s group and broader community gatherings.

Following the completion of two classroom based pre-clinical years, this first year of clinical placement marks the beginning of an exciting new stage in my medical studies. After a period of intermission in 2024, naturally I was nervous in returning to my studies whilst also anticipating the unique learning environment of a hospital setting. As it turned out, I needn’t have worried! I am absolutely loving and embracing the change that has come with being immersed in a hospital. More specifically, I love being able to connect with patients and support them along their journeys. Being a student in the hospital, I am afforded a greater amount of time to spend really getting to know patients and learn their stories. This has been pivotal in appreciating the holistic nature of medicine. I am very grateful for the time patients have afforded me in allowing me to practice and grow my clinical skills in this especially challenging period of their lives.

This year I have been placed at Cabrini Malvern, where I have already undertaken a wide range of rotations (Cardiology, Respiratory, Neurology, Haematology, Oncology, Geriatrics and Allied Health). I am so fortunate to have been exposed to this wide variety of specialties so early on in my clinical training. The breadth of knowledge shared from the respective teams has been paramount to my learning and has allowed me to build a solid foundation in my clinical knowledge.

My most significant clinical takeaway from my first semester of clinical education has been recognising that patients will present with symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness) as opposed to issues within an entire system (cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, etc). Whilst this might seem simple, shifting away from a strictly system-based way of thinking (which characterised my pre-clinical learning) and centering the specific symptoms that each patient presents with has profoundly grown my clinical understanding.

One of the more memorable experiences from my first semester was the opportunity to observe a stent placement in a patient actively experiencing a heart attack. This experience hit close to home for me as my father went through the same procedure when he had a heart attack when I was 15. It felt like a full circle moment as that past experience heavily shaped my “why” in pursuing medicine. It was surreal to be on the other end of the procedure all these years later and allowed me to reflect on my personal growth and journey to get to the place I am today.

Outside of my studies, I recently made a boondi (hunting club) in men’s group. I love connecting with culture and my spirit is happy when I’m in community spaces. I have been wanting to make a boondi for a few years now and the process of making my own has proven very rewarding. I am currently adding the finishing touches and planning a design which I will wood-burn onto the boondi.

I am immensely grateful and would like to sincerely thank you for the tremendous support this scholarship has provided. The opportunity to immerse myself fully in my studies, without the added stress of financial constraints during this especially demanding year, is invaluable.