AMA scholarship for Melbourne medical student

Doctor of Medicine student Ngaree Blow has won the 2013 AMA Indigenous Peoples’ Medical Scholarship.

The scholarship is intended to support training to increase the number of Indigenous doctors in Australia.

Valued at $9000 for each year of study, the scholarship provides support and encouragement for Indigenous students studying medicine.

Professor Stephen Smith, Dean of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and AMA President Dr Steve Hambleton awarded Ms Blow the scholarship.

Professor Smith says having the scholarship awarded to a Melbourne medicine student was a tremendous result for the University, the Faculty and the Melbourne Medical School.

“I’m delighted the AMA is supporting one of our promising students and congratulate Ngaree on receiving this prestigious scholarship,” Professor Smith says. 

Ms Blow says she has embraced the fight to close the life-expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and wants to see improvements in health inequalities.

 “I want to work with my community and other Indigenous communities because I am proud of my culture,” Ms Blow says.

“I want to see changes in health outcomes to decrease the significant amount of grief and loss for my family and my community, and I want to see greater opportunities for my people in areas such as education.

“Having a healthier community means there are a lot more opportunities for equality in all aspects of Australian life.

“Indigenous development is a critical area to our faculty and it’s fantastic to have the AMA contributing to the development of a robust Indigenous health workforce.” 

Dr Hambleton says the scholarship is designed to encourage and support Indigenous students preparing for their careers in medicine, particularly in Indigenous health.

“The AMA acknowledges the unique contribution of Indigenous health professionals to improve health outcomes of Indigenous people.

 “Assisting Indigenous medical students to complete their studies is a positive step toward ensuring there are more Indigenous doctors to serve their communities,” he says.