My name is Steven Cable and I am a proud Noongar Man with connection to Narrogin in Western Australia. Growing up I always envisioned myself working in healthcare to connect to local communities and be able to make a difference to as many lives as possible. I started my healthcare journey as a Physiotherapist working at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in New South Wales for four years and was able to meet some amazing people. After this I decided to begin the process of starting a career in Medicine. I am currently in my second year studying at the University of Sydney and looking forward to working in regional and rural settings when I am qualified.

Through my experiences at University Placements as a Physiotherapist in more regional and rural settings (Broome, Dubbo and Orange) I have witnessed the struggles and frustrations felt by many about the lack of specialised services available and the complicated process of needing to travel to an area with greater medical service exposure.

My goal through my current medical program is to be able to gain the required knowledge and training to become a Qualified Physician in a specialty which is going to eventually benefit small Indigenous communities the most. I am still currently weighing up between a few specialties, including Ophthalmology, but am still quite early in my training and will be able to make a more distinct choice in the coming years. Once gaining a more specialised position I am aiming to help increase exposure in rural and remote communities. One of the main ways I can do this is by encouraging as many fellow health professionals as possible to work in these settings so we can help address at least part of the access to healthcare struggles a lot of Indigenous communities are facing.

The second half of 2026 was an interesting and enjoyable conclusion to the third year of the medical program. During this time, I successfully completed my research project, which focused on exploring the benefits and challenges of using Life Review in midlife individuals. This was my first opportunity to be involved in formal medical research and significantly strengthened my understanding of qualitative research methods. My primary responsibilities included data analysis and presenting findings in both written and oral formats, while working closely with my supervisor and research team. The project is currently awaiting approval for publication, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to research at this stage of my medical training.

Following the research block, I undertook my second-last clinical rotation of the year in Perinatal and Women’s Health, joining the Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Neonatal teams. This rotation was a highlight of the year and provided extensive hands-on clinical exposure. I was fortunate to attend multiple births throughout the placement, including assisting in numerous caesarean sections in theatre. These experiences greatly enhanced my clinical skills and contributed to a broader understanding of perinatal care. This was also the first time in my medical training that I participated in night shifts, which was a new and challenging experience and something I will need to become more accustomed to as I approach my intern year. Involvement in neonatal care was also particularly rewarding and allowed me to better appreciate the medical journey during the first month of life.

My final clinical rotation of the year was a natural continuation from the previous block, as I completed a Paediatric placement at Westmead Hospital. This rotation provided broad exposure to a range of subspecialties, including adolescent health, general surgery, and a short two-week block covering general paediatric conditions at RPA. It allowed me to further apply the practical skills developed in the previous rotation in a different clinical setting and with children of all ages. The placement also highlighted the significant stress families experience when their children are unwell, and the important role medical practitioners play in alleviating anxiety through communication and support. I thoroughly enjoyed this block, as it offered a unique and rewarding learning experience.

Overall, the year was extremely rewarding and represented substantial academic and professional growth. The support provided through my scholarship has played an important role in enabling me to fully engage with both my clinical placements and academic commitments. I have now commenced my Geriatric placement at Royal North Shore Hospital, before travelling to the Northern Territory to undertake a medical clinic placement in Jabiru, West Arnhem Land in February. These placements align closely with my interests in ageing, as well as rural and remote health, and will further support my development as a future medical practitioner.