Congratulations to the 2024 QMWS Bursary Recipients

Congratulations to the four recipients of the 2024 QMWS Buraries. We would like to express our gratitude to the NCWQ and all sponsors; AMA Queensland, Quota and Mater Health.

This year’s Bursary recipients:

Dr Shiney Seo – Quota Brisbane/NCWQ Bursary
Anna Duan – QMWS Bursary
Ava Allen – QMWS & AMA Queensland Professor Tess Cramond Memorial bursary
Clancy Morgan – QMWS Mater Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Bursary

Event Recap: 2024 NCWQ Bursary Presentation & President’s Lunch

The 2024 NCWQ Bursary Presentation and President’s Lunch was a remarkable event that celebrated the achievements of emerging female leaders in various fields. Held with great enthusiasm and support from the Queensland Medical Women’s Society (QMWS), the event highlighted the exceptional accomplishments of four bursary recipients, whose dedication and passion for their respective fields were truly inspiring.

The event was graced by several prominent members of the QMWS, including Dr Jennifer Schafer (President), Dr Lydia Pitcher (Sponsorship Chair), Dr. Ira van der Steenstraten (Vice President & Immediate Past President), Dr Kathryn Mainstone (Treasurer) & A/Prof Bev Rowbotham AO. Their presence underscored the strong support and encouragement for emerging female leaders. Their commitment to fostering a nurturing environment for women in the medical field was palpable throughout the event.

The NCWQ Bursary Presentation and President’s Lunch was more than just an award ceremony; it was a celebration of inspiration, empowerment, and the collective strength of women. The stories and achievements of the bursary recipients left a lasting impact on everyone in attendance, reaffirming the importance of supporting and nurturing future leaders.

As the event concluded, the sense of camaraderie and shared vision among the attendees was evident. The QMWS and its members continue to play a crucial role in uplifting and empowering women, ensuring a brighter and more equitable future for all.

The 2024 NCWQ Bursary Presentation and President’s Lunch was a testament to the power of support, mentorship, and the incredible potential of women leaders. It was a day filled with hope, inspiration, and the promise of a better tomorrow.

Dr Shiney Seo

It is an honour to be the inaugural recipient of the Quota/NCWQ Dr Laurel Macintosh OBE Memorial Bursary. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the privilege and opportunity to honour Dr Laurel Macintosh OBE as a future female Ophthalmologist aspiring to follow in her inspirational footsteps.

I was born in South Korea and grew up in Brisbane since I was five-years-old. One of the core values I was raised with was to always endeavour to make the most of my opportunities and give my best go. As a result, throughout the years I have been fortunate to achieve numerous experiences that I hold pride in, including representing Australia several times at international competitions such as IYPT and IJSO. I have published academic papers and presented at numerous international journals and conferences, and received several academic awards throughout my education.

I have a passion for teaching budding doctors and Ophthalmologists, as well as advocating for my peers and community. My future aspiration is to continue my devotion to medicine, teaching and advocacy for the rest of my career.

Anna Duan

I am a fourth year medical and Master of Public Health & Tropical Medicine student at James Cook University, where I work as a research assistant and academic tutor. Formerly a classically trained musician, I now aspire to undergo Rural Generalist and global public health training.

Two of my research abstracts have been accepted for presentations for the National Rural Health Conference, where I will be presenting on Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases, and malaria. I have nurtured my passion for rural health through placements in Thursday Island, and Cloncurry, receiving bursaries such as the Lynn Kratcha Memorial Bursary, Amuthan Medical Research Scholarship, and MCCRH Student Bursary. With the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) and International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), I have coordinated, authored and reviewed over 15 policies, previously serving as the AMSA global public health portfolio Chair, and recent participation in the WHO’s 154th Executive Board meeting and the IFMSA rural health policy commission. I am humbled to be a recipient of the QMWS bursary and extremely grateful for this source of financial support. I also would like to express my gratitude to three very special women who have supported me in this – Maxine Whittaker, Allison Hempenstall and Karen Knight.

Ava Allen

As a passionate advocate for equitable healthcare, I am deeply honoured and grateful for the Queensland Medical Women’s Society and Australian Medical Association Queensland for generously awarding me this bursary. The invaluable support will enable me to attend vital conferences, fostering connections with thought leaders in surgery and First Nations health and propelling my goal to become a socially accountable medical practitioner.

Experiences leading outreach trips as Clinical Skills Director of the Rural Health Society and community initiatives as AMSA Representative in the Global Health Society have made me viscerally aware of my privilege, fuelling my aspiration to apply the skills I’ve developed through achieving Second Dux of my cohort and consistent Vice-Chancellor’s awards to drive upstream health interventions in underserved communities, such as ear checks for First Nations children.

I aim to use this bursary to meet mentors, contribute meaningfully to medical research, and work toward eradicating systemic health disparities. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and am excited to give back to this empowering community in every way possible.

Clancy Morgan

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to become a doctor. I am currently enrolled in my first year at James Cook University studying Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and this dream is finally becoming a reality.

I am a Biri woman, born and raised in rural North Queensland. My family has strong ties to the mining communities within the Bowen Basin and this is where I would like to eventually work as a rural GP. My career goal is to build trust in the healthcare system by connecting to communities and improving health outcomes for rural and Indigenous people.

I am grateful for receiving this Bursary, as it will help ease the financial burden that both myself and my parents have in supporting me at university. Attending the NCWQ 2024 Bursary Program Presentation will provide me with the opportunity to connect with many like-minded women in the health profession.