To celebrate the 90th anniversary of QMWS, the National Council of Women of Queensland (NCWQ) QMWS Student Bursary Program was established in 2019.
The program supports female medical students in Queensland who are passionate about health equity and gender equity in medicine.
Inspirational role models and mentoring opportunities are instrumental in inspiring, shaping and supporting extraordinary careers. This bursary supports female medical students’ involvement in local and international conferences and networking opportunities, so that they may reach their full potential, achieve their dreams, and work towards truely equitable health outcomes for all.
Mater, as part of their commitment to reconciliation and the Makarrata Commission would like to encourage and empower a female medical graduate who identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, to further their medical career and/or leadership aspirations. This bursary is one step in a broader goal of the QMWS and Mater – to advance the parity of representation of First Nations Peoples in the Australian medical workforce, and in its leadership.
This inaugural bursary is jointly sponsored by Quota International and NCWQ. In memory of Dr Laurel Macintosh OBE, the bursary honours the commitment Laurel had for. both organisations. Valued at $2000, the criteria reflect Laurel’s contribution to the field of Ophthalmology. The focus is to assist a female medical graduate who is undertaking specialist training to become an Ophthalmologist.
The career of Professor Tess Cramond, former President of the Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ), as an anaesthetist continues to inspire generations of medical women. This bursary supports female medical students to attend an AMA or Medical Women’s Society event in order to foster leadership skills necessary to address gender inequity in medicine.
This bursary, offered for the first time in 2025, is possible due to the generosity of Queensland X-Ray in their support for Women in Radiology. It is intended to advance the career and/or leadership aspirations for women training in Radiology.
Recent women medical graduates or female medical students aspiring to train in Radiology, can also be considered for this bursary, especially where they can demonstrate their interest and commitment to this area of Medicine.
The aim of this bursary is to promote engagement of Women in Radiology, especially in areas relevant to women’s health (breast cancer, pregnancy and antenatal care, endometriosis). The value of the bursary is $2,000.
Purple Bush Medicine Leaves
QMWS Bursary: Stephanie Sardinha
QMWS & AMA Queensland Professor Tess Cramond Bursary: Jasmin Somers
QMWS Mater Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Bursary: Ms Megan Shuttleworth
Sarah Gaukroger – Recipient of the 2022 Queensland Medical Women’s Society Bursary.
Lucinda Connolly – Recipient of the 2022 AMAQ (QMWS) Professor Tess Cramond Memorial Bursary
Julia-Rose Satre- Recipient of the 2022 Mater Health (QMWS) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Bursary.
Jessica Ling – QMWS Bursary Recipient 2021
With interests in preventative health, primary care and hospital medicine, Jessica is looking forward to using her bursary to meet with and learn from other medical women. Through these experiences, she hopes to work towards helping all medical women achieve their potential.
Lily Aboud – AMAQ / QMWS Professor Tess Cramond Memorial Bursary Recipient 2021
Personal and professional experiences have ignited in Lily a passion for health equity, particularly for those impacted by geographical isolation. With a track record of accomplishments that is already impressive, Lily hopes to use her bursary to attend an international or virtual global health conference.
Read more about the 2021 NCWQ QMWS Bursary program here.
Alvina Rathrod – QMWS Bursary Recipient 2020
As an active member of UQ’s Supporting Women in Medicine Society and the 2020 Vice President of UQ Medical Society, Alvina is already a seasoned advocate for gender equity in medicine and of health equity. Some of her key accomplishments include co-authoring a policy on gender equality in medical education and worked to improve health literacy among school students in Papua New Guinea. Alvina hopes this bursary will help her build on these ventures and continue to develop her skills as an advocate for gender and health equity.
Julia Chequer de Souza – AMAQ / QMWS Professor Tess Cramond Memorial Bursary Recipient 2020
Motivated by passions for social justice and altruism, Julia is inspired by Professor Cramond’s legacy to rise to the challenges posed by the current COVID-19 pandemic. A student at James Cook University, Julia’s rural placements have increased her awareness of the issues facing vulnerable communities. She hopes this bursary will help build relationships with potential mentors to guide her towards success with her future endeavours.
Read more about the 2020 NCWQ QMWS Bursary program here.
Naseera Naeem
As President of University of Queensland’s Supporting Women in Medicine Society (SWIM), QMWS member and former UQ Representative for QMWS, Naseera was the inaugural recipient of the QMWS Bursary.
The bursary enabled naseera to attend the Centennial Congress of MWIA (Medical Women’s International Association) in 2019 in New York. At Congress Naseera was a valued and active member of the Australian contingent.
Congratulations to the five recipients of the QMWS bursaries who were recently celebrated at the fantastic 2025 NCWQ Bursary Presentation and President’s Lunch! We would like to express our gratitude to the NCWQ and all sponsors, including Queensland X-Ray, Quota, AMA Queensland and Mater Health. We encourage you to read their stories and learning more about the event!
Since February 2025, QMWS100 has continued its work through meetings, working bees, and collaborations, celebrating resilience and women’s medical leadership. Highlights include the Quilt Project, insights from Professor Thelma Parker, archival discoveries, and a tribute to Dr Lydia Pitcher. Please email [email protected]
if you are interested in participating in upcoming QMWS100 events.
QMWS is very pleased to advise of the launch of our 2025 Bursaries that are administered through the National Council of Women of Queensland (NCWQ) Bursary Program.
Welcome to this month’s ‘President’s Chat’ for the Queensland Medical Women’s Society (QMWS)! This month’s guest is Dr Clare Wood, an Occupational and Environmental Physician with an interest in practical policy and a former board member of the charity Workplace Health Without Borders.
As the Queensland Medical Women’s Society approaches its 100-year celebration in 2029, our commitment to advocating for women in medicine remains unwavering. This International Women’s Day 2025, we invite you to share how you #AccelerateAction to create a future where women in medicine thrive and lead.
We’re thrilled to kick off QMWS100 meetings for 2025 with an inspiring collaboration with renowned sculptor Dr Rhyl Hinwood! Her upcoming tribute to Dr Lilian Cooper promises to beautifully capture the pioneering surgeon’s legacy. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in participating any of of the QMWS100 events.