In 2024, Australia reached a milestone when the number of registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners surpassed 1000 for the first time.
As a proud member of the Gold Coast Kombumerri people, Juliette Levinge will celebrate her own landmark moment when she joins their ranks in 2025.
Levinge is a First Nations Medical Scholarship recipient completing the Medical Program at Bond University.
She says the growth in registered First Nations medical practitioners from just 247 in 2013 has given her hope the gap in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians can be closed.
“I think it’s amazing that there are more opportunities available for Indigenous medical students and Indigenous doctors,” Levinge says.
“There’s still a long way to go in terms of specialties, but I think GPs are so important as the foundation for primary healthcare when you need treatment.”
Bringing skills back to First Nations communities
When she graduates in December 2025, Levinge has plans to specialise in dermatology and take those skills to First Nations communities.
“The dream for me would be to do outreach in rural and remote communities with high Indigenous populations and also here in urban areas which also have large populations of Indigenous people,” she says.
“My main focus is Indigenous health and improving the health gap that exists.
“I’ve had experiences where I’ve had patients not feel like they’re in a culturally safe place, so they don’t want to seek healthcare, which impacts First Nations People’s health outcomes.”
Dermatology wasn’t on Juliette’s radar when she started in the Medical Program in 2021.
She credits Bond University’s unique placement program for providing the opportunity to explore the wide range of specialties available.
“Being on placement this year has been an incredible journey in terms of self-discovery and career opportunities,” she said.
“I have been privileged to gain a better understanding of each specialty and what they have to offer patients, as well as practitioners.
“I feel as though I have been able to thrive this year in the clinical environment on placement.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed post-grad this year as it has made me appreciate the skills I have learnt and will continue to learn in a guided, supportive environment before taking the next step and becoming a doctor.”
Levinge says she might not have pursued a medical pathway if she had not had the opportunity provided by the First Nations Medical Scholarship.
Most importantly, it enabled her to study at Bond University on country, which was a deeply significant aspect of her education.
“I feel so grateful that I have had the privilege of studying on country as I have such a strong connection to my family and country,” Levinge says.
“I most likely would not have studied medicine elsewhere for this reason.
“I am forever grateful for this opportunity to make a difference in mine and other communities in the near future.”
In 2025, two Bond University scholarships are available for eligible First Nations students:
- Bond University First Nations Medical Full Scholarship
- Bond University First Nations Medical Partial Scholarship
Applications open on 9 January and close on 23 January 2025.
