The Ngarra Grants

I seeded this grant to help and encourage indigenous women to become surgeons. It is run by the Australasian College of Surgeons who administer it and cover all the costs involved. If you feel like contributing, it would be much appreciated.

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Ngarra Grant 2023 Recipient

Dr Maccalla Fenn

RMO, Launceston General Hospital, Tasmania

Awarded: $1,000

Dr Fenn is passionate about general surgery and hopes to become one of Australia's first Indigenous general surgeons, in the field of paediatric surgery. She believes her Indigenous heritage gives her a unique perspective on healthcare and hopes to contribute to closing the gap and empowering Indigenous community to seek medical aid as well as enriching the healthcare system. Dr Fenn is a previous mentor for inspire camps - a UQ initiative to encourage Indigenous school students to attend university.

Proposed activity

Grant funding will contribute towards Dr Fenn attending the Australia and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training course, along with the Advanced Paediatric Life Support courses.

Proposed benefits

These courses will allow me to expand my knowledge and technique. I hope to hone my surgical technique, to allow me to become more confident and capable as I take on an unaccredited general surgical registrar position in 2023. I would like to become more adept in the operating theatre and hopefully help other junior doctors enjoy surgery like I do. As I gain more experience in the field of general and paediatric surgery, I would love to become involved in Indigenous outreach programs such as Deadly Ears and the Medical Outreach Indigenous Chronic Disease Program with particular focus on paediatric conditions. I would also like to support programs aimed at encouraging Indigenous youth to pursue an interest in healthcare, including undertaking a career as a health professional. I think children are a significant factor in helping close the gap, and fostering a supportive relationship with healthcare is just one way of tackling this issue"

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons |

Dr Maccalla Fenn

Ngarra Grant

2026 Recipient

Dr Sara Lai

Junior Doctor - Albury Wodonga Health, NSW

Awarded: $2,700

Activity

Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) Presentation: Exploring the disproportionate rates that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients leave hospital before medical treatment compared to non-Indigenous patients in a regional Emergency Departments.

Proposed benefits

I plan to present at the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association Conference this year on my current research project, which explores the local factors contributing to the significantly higher rates at which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients leave the hospital before receiving medical treatment, compared to non-Indigenous patients. Through this presentation, l aim to share my findings and engage with other Aboriginal doctors from across Australia to discuss the unique challenges faced by different communities and how they are addressing this issue. In addition to advancing this research, I am committed to completing essential surgical courses to further my career in surgery and contribute to improving healthcare outcomes for Indigenous populations. By presenting this research, I hope to not only highlight the issue but also collaborate with colleagues to identify potential solutions and strategies to reduce the rates of early discharge and ensure more effective treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and communities."

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons