UQ launches First Nations medical strategy in Rockhampton

An ambitious new university program launched in Central Qld is set to train more First Nations doctors, with many expected to stay on to practice in regional and rural communities.

The University of Queensland has launched an ambitious strategy to train more First Nations doctors, with Regional Medical Pathway partners working towards ensuring First Nations students make up 15 per cent of Central Queensland enrolments in UQ’s Doctor of Medicine.

Jay Warcon and Tylin Guthrie are trailblazers on a mission.

The young Darumbal man and woman are destined to become doctors as they continue their studies through the Regional Medical Pathway.

Their aim is simple; to help close the health gap crippling the lives of First Nations’ people.

This year will see Jay start his fourth year of medical studies in the Doctor of Medicine.

For him, training to become a doctor wasn’t exactly how he planned his future.

“I never really wanted to become a doctor,” the Rockhampton local said.

The young Darumbal man and woman Jay Warcon and Tylin Guthrie are destined to become doctors as they continue their studies through the Regional Medical Pathway. They were at the launch of an ambitious new program which will see up to 15 per cent of University of Queensland’s Central Queensland enrolments in the Doctor of Medicine be filled by First Nations people.

“All throughout my schooling years, and especially later in the higher grades, my parents always asked me ‘Jay what do you want to do with your life’.

“I had no idea.

“As I was thinking about what to become, the doctor pathway came up and I didn’t want to say yes to that because I had to move away from home, to Brisbane or Townsville.”

In Year 12, Jay heard about the chance to undertake the Regional Medical Pathway.

The Pathway, created jointly by CQUniversity, the University of Queensland, and the Central Queensland and Wide Bay hospital and health services, allowed potential medical students like Jay to study their entire degrees in their local regional area, removing the need to relocate.

The Regional Medical Pathway, created jointly by CQUniversity, the University of Queensland, and the Central Queensland and Wide Bay hospital and health services, allowed allows students to pursue their studies from Rockhampton.

“During the application process I had to do a few interviews where I had talk about why I wanted to become a doctor,” he said.

Despite not initially wanting to become a doctor, Jay nonetheless researched issues in the medical field and it was at this point he started learning more about First Nations health issues.

“I always knew there was this health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians but I wasn’t really aware how extreme that health gap was,” he said.

“It gave me an entirely new perspective in becoming a doctor and trying to close the health gap has become one of the biggest driving forces in me becoming a doctor.

“I’m not entirely sure what area I want to close the gap but the jigsaw puzzle is slowly coming and forming together.”

Jay and Tylin were recently at a launch of an ambitious new program which will see up to 15 per cent of University of Queensland’s Central Queensland enrolments in the Doctor of Medicine be filled by First Nations people.

The University of Queensland has launched an ambitious strategy to train more First Nations doctors, with Regional Medical Pathway partners working towards ensuring First Nations students make up 15 per cent of Central Queensland enrolments in UQ’s Doctor of Medicine. Photo: iStock. Generic image.

The First Nations Growth Strategy, which works in conjunction with the Regional Medical Pathway, has thrilled both Jay and Tylin.

“I think the strategy is a great idea,” Jay said.

“We always need more Indigenous doctors to try and close the health gap.”

Tylin, who is in the first year of her Doctor of Medicine, believes having more First Nations people becoming doctors will make the community more comfortable with the health service.

“I think the growth strategy is about two things,” she said.

“It’s about better health outcomes for our people which we will see through more interaction between our community and doctors… and then also setting an example for our younger generation coming through so we have the continuous flow of young Indigenous kids wanting to grow up and become doctors, as well.”

University of Queensland Vice Chancellor and President Professor Deborah Terry AC. Photo: Supplied.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC said the First Nations Growth Strategy would help to accelerate the supply of medical graduates in Central Queensland communities experiencing shortages.

“We are deeply committed to ensuring more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors graduate through the program to address the very real workforce need for First Nations clinicians,” Prof Terry said.

Associate Dean (Indigenous Engagement) Professor Thelma Parker said the strategy was centred around unlocking growth for Indigenous doctors through community centred partnerships.

“The strategy was led by the UQ-developed Wisdom Council for Indigenous Knowledges and Bidgerdii Community Health Service, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled primary health care service,” Assoc Prof Parker said.

Kathleen Hatfield and Jarla Young, age 2 - working in Gloria garden in Rockhampton, as part of an Indigenous healthy living and lifestyles campaign, and the Bidgerdii Community Health Service Closing the Gap program several years ago. Photo Sharyn O'Neill / The Morning Bulletin

“Local community perspectives were centred, and the plan was signed off by 14 community Elders to ensure it is fully culturally appropriate and owned by the community.

“It’s this collaboration that will ensure its success.

In 2023, UQ successfully applied for funding to support 10 additional Commonwealth-funded places in Central Queensland in the Doctor of Medicine program, and the 15 per cent target was part of the agreement.

The growth strategy is designed to ensure First Nations students have support throughout the whole process, from applying and meeting the entry requirements for CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) and UQ’s Doctor of Medicine, through to graduation and beyond.