NSW uni celebrates graduation of Indigenous doctors

By PETER ROWE

The University of Newcastle has hosted its largest graduation week celebrating the biggest ever cohort of Indigenous doctors graduating from the Joint Medical Program (JMP), with 18 new doctors ready to bolster an empowered Indigenous health care network.

“The University of Newcastle is committed to improving life outcomes of Indigenous Australians. Through dedicated education and support, over the last 40 years the medical program has graduated 180 Indigenous doctors,” vice chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said.

Tahlie Park is one of 18 Indigenous doctors to graduate from the JMP stands with her mother.

The JMP is delivered through partnership between the University of Newcastle and the University of New England, and each year allocates places for admission to applicants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.

Director of the University’s Thurru Indigenous Health Unit, Professor Peter O’Mara, said the importance of creating pathways to medicine for all, highlighting the University’s support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Director of the University’s Thurru Indigenous Health Unit, Professor Peter O’Mara.

“We offer a range of support to our Indigenous students, such as through the Miroma Bunbilla Program, a specialised pre-entry pathway to our Joint Medical Program. We provide a culturally supportive environment where students can grow academically and personally.

“Our students come from across Australia to study this program and on completion of their study, they graduate ready to become part of an empowered and capable Indigenous health workforce,” Professor O’Mara said.

Shelby Edwards, a proud Barkindji woman, was among those graduating from the JMP.

“I am so honoured and proud to be a part of the largest cohort of Indigenous doctors to graduate from the JMP,” Shelby said.

“Like anything, there have been challenges along the way but I wouldn’t be standing where I am today if it wasn’t for the support of Thurru and the JMP.

“Through the program I was connected with current medical professionals who had experienced the same challenges as me. They encouraged me to keep going and believed in me to become a doctor.”