‘Give back to my community’: Year 12 death changed course of Jayden Thyer’s medical career

A death of a loved one during Year 12 exams changed the course of Jayden Thyer’s future. This is how she got back on track.

Ngarrindjeri woman Jayden Thyer’s close mentor died moments before her year 12 exams.

In her grief she didn’t obtain the results needed to get into the course she’d been dreaming of since she was a child — medicine — but later she realised it was a blessing in disguise.

“I deliberately used it as an opportunity to try all of these different fields with my electives to make sure medicine was exactly what I wanted to get into, it is six years,” the now 23-year-old said.

Following a year of study she managed to secure her place in the medicine program at the University of Adelaide, only to fail her first year.

Jayden Thyer, 23, is a ngarrindjeri woman and a fourth-year medical student. Picture: Supplied

“I’m quite open about it because I know so many doctors, consultants, educators, that have all failed at least one year of medicine because it’s so common,” the now fourth-year medical student said.

“People need to understand it’s okay to come back from that and not feel shame or embarrassment about it.

“Some of the best doctors I know happen to have failed a year or two.

“It’s nice to know that such high achievers have been in the same position I was in.”

Ms Thyer, who lives in the northern suburbs, said she struggled in the written exams and thrived in the practical exams.

“I was really lucky to have such an amazing support network around me, my family, my friends, saying it’s okay,” she said.

Jayden with Uncle Frank Lampard. Picture: Supplied

Ms Thyer, who is a recipient of an Aboriginal health scholarship, is the Indigenous advocacy chair for the Australian Medical Students Association nationwide as well as the Aboriginal officer for the Adelaide Medical Students Society.

“I really want to give back to my community,” she said.

“The community has supported me so much when it comes to my studies and I think, because I’m so passionate about Indigenous health, I really hope I can get back to the community in whatever field I decide to specialise in and hope to work with Indigenous people in the future.”

20 Aboriginal students have been awarded health scholarships this year.

The scholarships provide annual amounts of $7000 for full-time students and $3500 for part-time students.

They provide financial support for students studying nursing and midwifery, medicine, allied health, Aboriginal health and maternal infant care, as well as in health services such as hospitality, information and communication technology and administration.