NAIDOC Week webinar: The role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders in community health and wellbeing
On-demand recorded 28 Jun 2023
In this National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health GP friendly webinar, we explore the important role of Elders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander culture and community.
Dr Karen Nicholls, Chair of the National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, is joined by Dr Peter O’Mara former chair of the NFATSIH and guest panellist Dr Kirsty Jennings to discuss the role of Elders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community health and wellbeing and to share and advice on supporting the patient care of Elders.
Learning outcomes
- Identifying who an Elder is.
- Recognise the important status of Elders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and communities.
- Understanding the important role Elders have in community health and wellbeing.
Presenters
Dr Karen Nicholls
Dr Karen Nicholls is a Torres Strait Islander woman descending from Boigu Island in the Torres Strait. Dr Nicholls works predominantly in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation sector and academia. Dr Nicholls is passionate about health equity and growing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce. She is on the RACGP Board and is Chair of RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.
Dr Kirsty Jennings
Kirsty is a Biripi woman from the Mid North Coast of NSW. Kirsty originally trained as a social worker through the University of Newcastle and spent several years working in community based Aboriginal Health services. She then went on to complete a Bachelor of Medicine at the University of Newcastle and went on to complete her FRACGP.
Kirsty currently works in general practice in the Port Stephens area and works within the Thurru Indigenous Health unit teaching Indigenous Health into the Joint Medical Program at the University of Newcastle.
Within her role at the University of Newcastle, Kirsty is the lead for the Pathways into Medicine Indigenous health program delivering Culturally safe and reflective healthcare and communication education to 4th and 5th year students.
Professor Peter O'mara
Professor Peter O’mara is a proud Wiradjuri man from northeast Wiradjuri Country who completed his medical degree at the University of Newcastle. Since completing his degree, Peter has worked as a GP at Tobwabba Aboriginal Medical Service and founded the Werin Aboriginal Medical Service. Whilst still working at Tobwabba and Werin, Peter is also employed as a Professor and Assistant Dean of Indigenous Health at the University of Newcastle. Peter is committed to the ongoing training of Indigenous medical doctors to improve health disparities and continuously advocates for better health and education outcomes in Indigenous communities.