Australian Indigenous Doctors Association [AIDA]

Board of Directors

As members of the AIDA Board, we commit to living and working as positive role models for our children, families and communities. We will work in a way that is reflective of the past, respectful, inclusive, connected and self reflective, and we will demonstrate and communicate excellence, professionalism, transparency, integrity, innovation, growth and evolution in all that we do. We embrace our peoples spirituality and pride ourselves on being culturally informed and competent. At the core of our commitment is our belief in social justice and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights and human rights.

It is the responsibility of the AIDA Board to set the vision, policies and values of the organisation and to approve and monitor the plans and processes that will be used to manage AIDA through the CEO.

AIDA is made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors working in a range of professional, clinical and academic positions, in urban, rural and remote areas.

The AIDA Board Values statement can be read here.

	Dr Tamara Mackean - President
	I am a descendent of the Waljen clan of the Wongai Peoples of the Goldfields region in Western Australia. I graduated from University of NSW in 1999 with Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and was joint winner, with Dr Kelvin Kong, of the Alumni Award for Achievement. Following varied clinical experience in obstetrics, psychiatry, ophthalmology and general practice, I became involved in medical education and worked as a Senior Lecturer at Flinders University SA for some five years. During my tenure I was awarded a Staff Award for Outstanding Contribution to the University, as well as being recognised nationally and receiving the inaugural LIMElight Award for Leading Innovation in Cultural and Organisational Change in 2007. I am currently a Senior Research Fellow with the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health at the University of WA. I am presently a trainee with the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. I am also the current President of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association, and I work with governments, organisations, communities and individuals to bring about positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

	Associate Professor Peter O'Mara - Vice President
	I am from the Wiradjuri people of NSW. I completed most of my schooling in the Hunter Valley, NSW. I obtained an apprenticeship as a fitter machinist, which would see myself working underground in a coal mine as a mine mechanic. After sustaining an injury that would make it difficult to physically carry on down this path, I embarked on a matriculation course at the University of Newcastle, NSW. Upon completion I began studying psychology and biology with the intention of becoming a clinical psychologist. Before completing this course I was accepted into medicine at the University of Newcastle. On completion of this degree my family and I were off to Mackay, QLD for my internship. This was a great experience in a laid back town with a large Indigenous population. I returned to NSW on the Rural GP training program. My areas of interest are Indigenous health and emergency medicine. My aim is to assist in achieving equality of health and life for all Indigenous Australians. I am currently Associate Professor, Indigenous Medical Education and Head of Discipline – Indigenous Health, Newcastle University.

	Associate Professor Noel Hayman - Secretary
	My people are the Wakka Wakka from South Queensland and Kalkadoon from Cloncrry, Mt Isa area. I grew up in Cleveland, a twenty five minute drive from Brisbane. It was a great upbringing, fishing all the time. I have heaps of stories about the ‘big one’ that got away. I decided to become a Doctor when I read an article in a Brisbane newspaper by Professor Biggs then Dean of Medicine, University of Queensland. I graduated in 1990 and was one of two Indigenous medical students to graduate that year and the first Indigenous medical student to graduate from the University of Queensland. My current position is Clinical Director of the Inala Indigenous Health Service in Brisbane. My interest areas include improving Indigenous access to mainstream health services and medical education in the context of Indigenous health. I also hold an appointment with the University of Queensland as Senior lecturer for the School of Medicine. I am a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Pubic Health Medicine and am currently the Vic President of the Faculty. I am on numerous National and State Committees. A couple of these include Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee for the College of Physicians, and member of the Health Advisory Committee of the NHMRC. The Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) was a vision of our past President Dr Louis Peachey and I just happened to be there at the time. I would like to see AIDA influence Indigenous kids to take up a profession in health, particularly medicine. I would also like AIDA to become an organisation that is respected by governments and other health professions. I am on the Executive Committee of AIDA as Secretary. My message to all Indigenous people currently studying or thinking of studying medicine is - never give up!

	Dr Paula Edgill - Treasurer
	I am a Noongar and the youngest of six children. I grew up predominantly in the city, although I spent the first few years of my life on a mission. I obtained my medical degree from the University of Western Australia. I did not entertain any thoughts of becoming a doctor as I had been told in high school that I didn’t have the capability to pursue a tertiary education. In spite of this, I was accepted to undertake a science degree at Curtin University. However, during my science degree I met a fellow Aboriginal student who encouraged me to sit an entry test for Indigenous people to study medicine at Newcastle University. Luckily, I was then able to undertake my studies at the University of Western Australia. As I was growing up, because of the injustices and inequality that I experienced, I always felt that there needed to be more power and capacity for myself, my family and Aboriginal communities to self determine the direction of our lives. I felt that the only way I could do this was to be educated, get a job and hopefully be in a position where I could have a say and possibly influence some changes. I still find it hard to believe that I am a doctor, but I hope that as a professional and being a part of a professional body like the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA), I can have some impact on improving Indigenous health and on the rest of society so that they respect Aboriginal people and their culture.

	Associate Professor Helen Milroy - Director
	I am a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia but was born and educated in Perth. I studied medicine at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and worked as a General Practitioner and Consultant in Childhood Sexual Abuse at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for several years before completing specialist training in child psychiatry. I am a member of the RANZCP (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry) committee for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and contributed to the development of position statements, guidelines and curriculum on Indigenous mental health for the college. I am also a member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians’ Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Committee. I have also been on both state and national policy committees including more recently the Social Health Reference Group that developed the National Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2004-2008. At present I work as a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Bentley Family Clinic and Families At Work residential programme. I am also an Associate Professor and Director for the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health (CAMDH) at UWA. I look forward to increasing the number of Indigenous medical graduates and providing support and mentoring to students and graduates as they pursue their careers in health.

	Dr Brad Murphy - Director
	I grew up in rural north-west NSW around the Gunnedah area and my Aboriginal ancestry are located around the Walgett district (Kamillaroi people). I grew up in Newcastle and at the age of 15 joined the Royal Australian Navy and since then have been somewhat nomadic in my career which has seen me work from the centre of Sydney to Central Australia. After a long and rewarding career as an Intensive Care Paramedic, I began training to become a doctor at the new medical school at James Cook University in 2000. Throughout my career I have had a burning passion in Indigenous and Rural health and have been an advocate for the continued improvement of health issues in these significantly challenging areas of medicine and health care. I am continually reminded of the path I have taken to become a doctor at the age of 40 and appreciate the insight this affords me in seeing the holistic issues that represent solutions in these aspects of health care and in finding unique methods of addressing these challenges. Since beginning medicine I have been honoured to participate in a variety of projects and organisations but the most significant of these to me being my current position as the Queensland Member of AIDA and as one of the founding Trustees of the newly established Jimmy Little Foundation. I believe both of these organisations have the stamina and credibility to make a real and lasting contribution to the health status of Indigenous Australians whilst being active in the international advocacy for our Brothers and Sisters abroad.

	Dr Simone Raye - Director
	I am a descendant of the Bardi people in the Kimberley’s, in far north Western Australia. I am the youngest of eight children and was born in Darwin. I have spent much of my life in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Initially I started a degree in science at Curtin University with the hopes of becoming a Marine Biologist. During my first year at Curtin University I heard about the Medicine program at the University of Newcastle through one of the workers at DEET who encouraged me to apply. I was unsure that I would get in but thought I would give it a go. When I received my acceptance letter to Newcastle I’m not sure who was more excited, my older brother or I! I had a bit of a rocky start to my career in medicine and dropped out of university for several years. During this time I worked at Australia Post as a “check-out chick”! I am grateful for this experience as it helped me grow and develop as a person (as well as be able to work out the cost of sending things overseas!). I went back to University of Newcastle more determined and finished my degree, with a lot of help and support from my family as well as the Indigenous Support Unit. On graduating I returned to the Northern Territory to work at Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH). During my 4 years at RDH, I worked in many areas of the hospital from the Emergency Department to the Maternity and Children’s wards. I met so many people from all walks of life and have a lot of funny stories from; delivering a baby over the toilet, to the poor woman who was helping with the cattle muster and was knocked over by a kangaroo and broke her leg, people with snake bites and of course the crocodile stories. There are also many sad stories that are too heartbreaking to repeat. I also worked for a year with the Hunter Area Health Service in NSW for the Dept of Obstetrics and Gynecology and I am very interested in Indigenous maternal and child health issues. One of the joys of my work is that I have not only had the opportunity to meet people from the remote communities but I have also been fortunate enough to travel to them as well. Whilst health is such an important issue so to is education, justice, housing, etc (and the list goes on!), all inter-connected. As part of the relationships I have developed in the communities, I hope to encourage people to achieve whatever dreams and aspirations they may have towards a better future for themselves and their communities.

	Dr Shannon Springer - Director
	Dr Springer's profile will be updated shortly.

	Dr Marilyn Clarke - Director
	My name is Marilyn Clarke and I’m from the Worimi people of Port Stephens , NSW. I grew up there with my twin sister Marlene and younger brother Kelvin, raised by our mother and her extended family. I studied medicine with Marlene at Sydney University where we were the first Aboriginal medical graduates in 1997. Since then I have gained a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Epidemiology from Newcastle University and completed my Fellowship from the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. I am married with a young daughter and work in Coffs Harbour, NSW running an antenatal clinic at the Galambila AMS.

	Dr Latisha Petterson - Director
	My Father’s people are descendents of the Wardaman Peoples’ of Moi Moi Country in the Northern Territory. We are also descendents of the Mudburra, Jinjli, Gurindji and the Wagadidam Peoples’ of the Western Torres Strait. My Mother’s People are descendents of the Gudjal Peoples’ from Far North Queensland, so I proudly acknowledge and respect both Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander culture from my Father’s & Mother’s People. I studied a Bachelor of Medicine at the University of Newcastle and graduated in 2001, in which I embarked on my Intern & Residency at the Cairns Base Hospital, Queensland. I am currently enrolled in the rural training program as a General Practice Registrar, completing my Subsequent term within Aboriginal Primary Health Care in Katherine, Northern Territory. I have been working within primary health care since 2004, with experience in the Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula Area of Far North Queensland, Cairns and Darwin. In these areas, I have worked with in the local Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health Services. I have also gained experience with in other mainstream practices which has enhanced my clinical experiences as a Registrar. I have been involved with the delivery and facilitation of cross – cultural training to General Practitioners in primary health care for Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, with in the Territory and at a national level. I have also maintained an advisory role in the GPET (General Practice Education & Training) Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Training Reference Group for training positions and opportunities for General Practice registrars nationally. Since 2007 I have under taken a Ministerial appointment with the Indigenous Australian Sexual Health Committee (IASHC), and an advisory position in the Northern Territory Sexual Health Advisory Committee (SHAG). I am currently completing a term with in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, in which I have been managing acute presentations as well as chronic disease, sexual health and communicable diseases. Working with Aboriginal Health Workers with in primary health care has been extremely rewarding and challenging. I shall be completing my training as a Rural General Practitioner in 2009 with another term in Aboriginal Health and a special skills post. Upon completion of my training, I plan to reside in the Northern Territory and continue with my work with AIDA, as well as contribute to primary health care and Indigenous health policy both nationally & within the Northern Territory.

	Dr Kelvin Kong - Director
	For the greater part of my life I have aspired to one day making a useful contribution in the field of medicine. I hail from the Worimi people of Port Stephens, north of Newcastle. I attained my medical degree at the University of NSW (UNSW) and completed surgical training with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) sub-specializing in Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery. I am currently working at the Royal Children’s Hospital partaking in a paediatric fellowship. Being surrounded by health issues, I have always championed for and been involved in the improvement of health and education, particularly pertaining to Indigenous health. It is a privilege to be able to act on behalf on the membership and I look forward to continuing this with my role in AIDA.

	Ms Danielle Arabena - Student Member
	Danielle Arabena is a descendant of the Meriam People from Murray Island in the Torres Strait. Danielle has successfully completed two Bachelor Degrees in Communications and Nursing. Danielle also holds qualifications in complementary medicine including Sports Massage, Infant Massage Instructor and Reiki and is a Registered Nurse. As a medical student Danielle is currently enrolled in second year in the MBBS program at the University of Queensland (UQ). Danielle has previously worked in indigenous education as an Associate Lecturer and Lecturer at Queensland University of Technology and Kangaroo Point TAFE college. She has also worked as a university tutor for the Australian University and the University of Queensland. Danielle has a worked as a massage therapist/healer for twelve years. She ran a holistic health clinic in a medical centre until she started her Nursing Degree. Displaying her commitment to indigenous health, Danielle has worked for Brisbane Indigenous Media Association, developing and producing indigenous community health information. She has also conducted radio interviews promoting AIDA and community health strategies. For 2006/2007 Danielle was one of the AIDA UQ student representatives. Danielle has represented AIDA at Croc Fest’s in Weipa and Thursday Island. She has also undertaken public speaking engagements on behalf of AIDA, the most recent being to indigenous high school students at the ANU Medical School.