Congratulations to the 2025 QMWS Bursary Recipients

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 QMWS Bursaries. We would like to express our gratitude to the NCWQ and all sponsors; Queensland X-Ray, AMA Queensland, Quota and Mater Health.

This year’s Bursary recipients:

Dr Loyola Wills: QMWS & Mater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Bursary
Marita Bolic: QMWS & AMA Queensland Professor Tess Cramond Memorial Bursary
Megha Kadian: QMWS Student Bursary
Dr Ye Li: QMWS Quota Brisbane Bursary in Honour of Dr Laurel Macintosh OBE
Dr Pranathi Settipalli: QMWS Women in Radiology Bursary, sponsored by Queensland X-Ray

Event Recap: 2025 NCWQ Bursary Presentation & President’s Lunch

Set against a backdrop of encouragement and excellence, the 2025 NCWQ Bursary Presentation and President’s Lunch brought together trailblazing women, inspiring stories, and a shared commitment to shaping the future. Proudly supported by the Queensland Medical Women’s Society (QMWS), the event honoured four extraordinary bursary recipients whose vision and drive are already leaving a mark in their respective fields.

The afternoon welcomed a distinguished gathering of QMWS leaders—Dr Jennifer Schafer, Dr Lydia Pitcher, Dr Janet Draper, Dr Ira van der Steenstraten, and Dr Kathryn Mainstone—alongside longstanding QMWS supporters Dr Jenny Roberts and Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM. Their presence offered not only celebration, but also a strong signal of sustained support for women rising through the ranks of medicine and beyond.

What unfolded was not merely a presentation, but a heartfelt exchange of stories, support, and shared aspirations. The bursary recipients spoke with authenticity and purpose, reminding all in attendance of the profound value of investing in women’s potential—not just for today, but for generations to come.

Beyond the accolades, the event became a meeting point for mentorship, leadership, and hope. It reaffirmed QMWS’s unwavering role in nurturing women in healthcare—creating space for them to grow, lead, and thrive.

The 2025 celebration was more than the sum of its parts: it was a powerful reminder that when women are seen, supported, and celebrated, their impact is limitless.

Dr Loyola Wills

Kapu Goeyga, Nguzu nel Loyola Jane Wills, I am a Wagadagam woman of Mabuiag Island, Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait). I grew up on Larrakia country, before spending some years on Kaurna Land studying; firstly a Bachelor of Arts (International Studies, Sociology, Legal Studies & ‘Indigenous’ studies) and secondly, the Doctor of Medicine.

Through this time I became a Mother to two kaazi, now 7 years old and 3 years old. I am a PGY2, first year ACRRM Trainee and work in Meanjin. My main goal in the future is to live and work on my ancestral islands, to support my community and their need for a model of care that is designed around, and implements our: cultural values, our ailan kastom, and a strength and research based approach to the chronic health conditions that we suffer as a result of colonisation.

I am on a journey at the moment as a junior Doctor to build the necessary skills required to work in a remote area. I thank the sponsors of this scholarship for providing me the opportunity to do this by way of funding my attendance at important learning experiences to help me build those skills. Mina big eso.

Dr Pranathi Settipalli

I am sincerely grateful to the Queensland Medical Women’s Society and QLD Xray for this generous bursary and for their continued commitment to empowering women in medicine.

As a female doctor from an immigrant background, I have experienced the challenges of navigating a career in medicine without visible role models or strong female representation in leadership positions. These experiences have fuelled my passion not only for achieving my own goals of becoming a leader in my field, but also for advocating gender diversity and inclusivity through meaningful mentorship and support for other women in medicine.

Through my involvement in medical research, I have been fortunate to connect with like-minded individuals who share a vision for a more equitable healthcare system. With this bursary, I hope to build on these experiences – deepening my contribution to radiology research, engaging with thought leaders, and continuing to promote health equity for underserved and marginalised communities across Australia.

This opportunity strengthens my resolve to lead positive change in medicine, and I am honoured to be part of a community that values equity, diversity, and innovation.

Dr Ye Li

I am grateful to receive the Dr Laurel Macintosh Bursary and am excited to follow in her footsteps to build the community of female ophthalmologists in Queensland. I have a diverse background, as I was born in China, grew up in the United States, completed high school and university in New Zealand, and started my career in Brisbane since internship.

I aspire to be a clinician-academic – to incorporate clinical practice with evidence-based research in order to provide patients with the best care. To achieve this goal, I regularly publish peer-reviewed articles, present at international meetings, and perform reviewing for indexed journals. A few awards I am proud of including the William MacKenzie medal for early excellence in ophthalmology research, best Young Ophthalmologist presentation at the Asia-Pacific Vitreoretinal Society Congress, best video at RANZCO congress, and first place in the Biomedical Imaging and Research Unit imaging competition in time-lapse biomicroscopy. As an honorary lecturer at the University of Queensland, I enjoy teaching medical students and residents.

In the short term, the bursary will assist with attending the annual RANZCO fellowship exam preparation course this year. In the long term, I plan to pursue multiple international fellowships to provide patients with world-class care.

Marita Bolic

My name is Marita, and I am a sixth-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Honours) student at James Cook University. I’m honoured and very thankful to have been awarded the AMAQ QMWS Bursary.

I was born in and grew up in Mackay before moving to Townsville, and later Cairns, for my medical degree. Throughout my degree, I have travelled across Queensland to undertake placement – including in Cairns, Mount Isa, Weipa and Mackay. I’ve also travelled to Canberra to complete two medical student research projects. I am also currently completing an honours degree to better understand pain experienced by patients undergoing intrauterine device (IUD) insertion.

My medical student experience has fostered a keen passion for research, and I’ve really enjoyed participating in and presenting my project findings at several conferences. This bursary will support my attendance at such a conference, whilst also allowing me to build professional networks and contribute to existing medical research.

I am most grateful to the AMAQ and QMWS for their generous sponsorship and look forward to sharing my conference experiences with them.

Megha Kadian

I’m a passionate molecular biologist and third-year medical student at the University of Queensland, driven by a deep commitment to translational medical research and compassionate clinical care.

My journey began as a child, sparked by the complex medical nature of my brother, who was born with congenital heart disease. Growing up, this introduced me to the world of medicine from an early age, instilling a deep desire to understand the science behind disease and healing.

Witnessing the limitations of existing treatments sparked a lifelong curiosity and drive to contribute to medicine and research, leading me to pursue a PhD in cardiovascular gene therapy at the University of Sydney. My research focused on developing novel gene therapies to prevent cardioembolic stroke. Presenting this research nationally, internationally and publishing in peerreviewed journals has reinforced my belief in the power of translational science within clinical medicine.

I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to the QMWS and the NCWQ for awarding me this bursary. My ultimate goal is to evolve the cutting edge of medicine, surgery, and research, redefining what’s possible for patients and inspire the next generation of innovators.