Community and Oral Health

Before attending a health science camp in high school, Dr Ella had never considered perusing a career in medicine! But this camp changed her life and set her on the path of becoming an Anaesthetic Registrar at the RBWH. 🫶

As a proud Yirrganydji and Wulgurukaba woman, her goal has always been to be an Aboriginal doctor for Aboriginal people, as well as a role model for young people considering a career in health and medicine.

"Visibility and role models are incredibly important especially to our mob. Our people are the oldest living culture in the world and are therefore the oldest practicing healers in the world and I want people to know that there are Indigenous doctors around and that some of us, like myself, are working here at RBWH," Dr Ella said.

"Having worked in regional and rural areas previously, I know firsthand the geographical discrimination that exists within our healthcare system. Once I specialise in anaesthetics I want to travel to regional and rural areas to offer my skillset to those communities, and close gaps in health inequities.

"If you really want to become a doctor, there will be pathways and support available to you to help you achieve this." 🩺 ... See MoreSee Less

RBWH nursing and midwifery graduates Abby and Mary are loving their first few months on the ward.🏥

Joining our team in February, the new nurses have found themselves in a surgical trauma ward at Queensland's biggest hospital, where the learning opportunities are endless!

Abby, from Darwin originally, moved to Brisbane during university and wanted to stay here to start her career.

"It's a big tertiary hospital and it has a lot to offer. It can be full on at times, but it's awesome to see your improvement each day and your confidence go up," she said.

Mary agreed, noting the supportive team on 9AS that makes learning easier.

"I did a placement here and I really liked it, there's lots of support even though it's a busy ward, and I am getting a diverse mix of skills."

If you're in high school or university and considering a future in nursing, or if you're an experienced nurse looking for a change of pace - come see what RBWH has to offer at our RBWH Nursing and Midwifery Career Open Day on 25 July. More details and a link to register in the comments below. 😀 #WorkforusWednesday ... See MoreSee Less

"I was born in Cherbourg, [I'm the] third eldest of three brothers and have four sisters younger than me. After our mum passed the police came and grabbed us, and we were in the boys' dormitories for six years. We were never taught how to be good role models; discipline was the ruler of the day. The dormitory was designed to take the Aboriginality out of us kids, no connection to culture or language. I was at Queensland Health for 15 years delivering cultural training and now I've been at the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health for 14 years as an Elders Respite Social Worker. You learn how the Elders tell their stories and it's beautiful. I get asked 'can you help find my daughter or my son that we lost years ago' and we help find their families through the Communities and Personal Histories program, that is the good part of my job. I think if you can help someone out then that's great, if you don't have an answer for them say 'let me follow it up for you Aunty or Uncle'. Don't just shrug your shoulders at them. To me, NAIDOC Week means sharing. Sharing history and family, sharing good times and sharing your story."

💭 Monday Mantra, Uncle Marshall, Respected Elder and STARS Ward 4B patient ... See MoreSee Less

NAIDOC Week starts today, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, culture and resilience. 🖤💛❤️

Dr Adam Scott, who is the Director of Cardiac Sciences at RBWH, has worked hard to make sure these voices are heard throughout the hospital with a school-based art initiative that now runs across five State High Schools.

The idea was born out of a team fundraiser that raised money to purchase art supplies and canvases for the Pine Rivers State High School First Nations Art Program, creating 30 works that are now hung across the RBWH Cardiology Department.

Dr Adam said the goal was to make Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients feel safe coming into the unit.

“There are still many opportunities for growth in the health space around models of care, especially in rural and remote areas. Art is a stepping stone to bring people in the cardio department on the journey, putting health equity front and centre, everywhere we walk," he said.

“I am incredibly passionate about finding innovative solutions to complex, long-standing health challenges. The people I work with every day, both here at the Royal and across our partner facilities, make my role truly enjoyable." ... See MoreSee Less