“The statistics you read about Aboriginal health aren’t just numbers to me; they represent the real lived experiences of my family, my community, and myself.” This powerful statement from Ballardong Noongar woman and medical student Keisha Calyun-Clarke underscores the growing recognition of the importance of self-determination for Aboriginal people in shaping policies and programs that support them. It also encapsulates Keisha’s decision to pursue a career in health.
Keisha’s introduction to the health sector began with her role as a project officer on the Mappa project, which maps health services available in rural and remote communities.
“Working on Mappa, I began to understand the social determinants affecting health and the disparities my people face.”
“When I first entered the health sector, I was shocked to learn that conditions like rheumatic heart fever exist in Australia and disproportionately affecting Aboriginal people in rural and remote areas. “I found this deeply troubling; our community deserves better,” she said.
Witnessing the positive outcomes achieved by the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) sector, she believes that health equity for First Nations people is possible.
“It is important to me to do all that I can to help make the positive changes that are needed,” Keisha said.
This belief inspired her decision to pursue medicine. Now in her third year of medical school at Curtin University, Keisha finds the journey challenging yet rewarding.
“I won’t sugarcoat it – it’s been very tough. It is very demanding with a lot of content to learn in short periods.”
“I have coped by knowing my learning style and playing to my strengths. I am also fortunate to have an amazing tutor, an Aboriginal doctor who has guided me throughout my medical studies and ensures I am on the right path,” she shared.
The camaraderie among Aboriginal medical students has proven to be a crucial support system for Keisha. “There is a great bond between all the Aboriginal medical students, and we all support each other to get through,” she said.
“The first three years of my degree have been theory work; the final two years will be hands-on learning full-time in hospitals. “I am looking forward to my clinical years and recently accepted an offer to complete a year at The Rural Clinical School of WA in Broome.”
In 2022, Keisha attended the 10th Biennial Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress (PRIDoC) in Vancouver, an event aimed at sharing knowledge and successes from various communities to improve Indigenous health globally. “It was an incredible experience, gathering together Indigenous doctors and medical students from Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand, Taiwan, Hawaii, the USA and Canada.
“It is an important event for all Indigenous medical students where we not only receive important mentoring from Indigenous doctors but learn valuable lessons that we will never learn in a university classroom,” she said.
As a future medical practitioner, Keisha hopes to make a direct impact on the health journeys of individual Aboriginal people by being a trusted doctor who works hand in hand with her patients.
She also envisions herself working in public health and advocacy, remaining focused on her goal to work closely with her community and contribute to achieving health equity for Aboriginal people.
“My goal is to work closely with Aboriginal people and communities and make a direct impact on individual people’s health journeys,” she said. AHCWA Executive Manager – Public Health and CQI Kim Gates said the organisation was privileged to be part of Keisha’s journey. “She is going to make a difference to improving Aboriginal health outcomes in WA,” Kim said.
“Her commitment to supporting other Aboriginal people to do the same is to be commended and we are very proud of her achievements.”