Torres Strait Islander student receives AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship
Torres Strait Islander man and AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship recipient, T’kido Titasey, hopes to return home following his studies to address widespread health inequalities in his community.
A Queensland medical student who hopes to establish his own healthcare service in the Torres Strait has received a 2023 AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship.
Torres Strait Islander man T’Kido Titasey grew up on Thursday Island, where he observed widespread health disparities due to a lack of access to culturally appropriate healthcare.
He is planning to return to the Torres Strait following his studies to help address these issues by establishing his local own health service or charitable foundation.
“As a child growing up on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, the longstanding inequalities in access to culturally safe healthcare was normalised,” Mr Titasey said.
“My drive is to go back to my community to address those health issues and hopefully make a difference.”
AMA President Professor Steve Robson presented the scholarship to Mr Titasey at AMA Queensland in Brisbane on Wednesday evening.
“I have been struck by T’kido’s profound sense of community and desire to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Professor Robson said.
“Initiatives like the AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship are so important to help grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce, which we hope will lead to improved equity and access, creating better health outcomes for their communities.”
A second AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship recipient will be announced in early 2024.
Applications are now open for the 2024 AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship.
Established in 1994, the scholarship contributes to growing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors by supporting First Nations people who are studying a medical degree at an Australian university.
The value of the scholarship is currently $11,000 per annum.
