Applications are open to enrolled Indigenous medical students to apply for the next year's AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarships.
Applications are open to enrolled Indigenous medical students to apply for the next year's AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarships.
Applications are now open for the AMA's 2023 Indigenous Medical Scholarship program, with applicants having until 31st January to submit their application.
The scholarship, made possible by the generosity of members, helps an Indigenous medical student who has completed their first year with $10,000 per year for the remainder of their medical degree.
Last year, for the first time, the scholarship was extended to two recipients, Malissa Hodgson and Cameron Howard.
Ms Hodgson, an Arrernte, Pitjantjatjara, Nunkuntjatjara, Keytej, Arabana, and Meriam woman from Alice Springs spoke about the importance of the scholarship and the struggle she faced to study medicine.
"I didn't see Aboriginal doctors growing up," Ms Hodgson said.
"There's always the pedestal of sports players, and that's good, but not everyone will be the next footy player, so education is open to everyone and knowledge is power and we need more people to take the chance to get a degree. That then contributes to the betterment for our people and the wider community."
Cameron Howard, a proud Bardi and JabirJabir man brought up in Broome, said: "For aboriginal people, poor heath often comes down to three things: the logistics of accessing health care, cultural barriers or health literacy. Having a first-hand knowledge of these things allows you to better understand the problem and better treat it."
AMA President Professor Steve Robson said he was particularly keen to support this AMA initiative as having Indigenous doctors in our health system brings better health outcomes to first nations patients.
"Not only is it important for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctor workforce to grow, but the health system, as a whole, benefits from the unique perspective brought to medicine by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors.
"Making this investment in young Indigenous doctors is the easy bit but getting even a single doctor through medical school is a huge deal that will being untold benefits to Australian healthcare."
For more information on how to apply visit: https://www.ama.com.au/about/indigenous-medical-scholarship
