QMWS100
QMWS Update #20 Meeting
Queensland Medical Women’s Society Centennial Project (QMWS100) Welcome back to a new year of QMWS100 activities. It has now been approximately 18 months since our inaugural QMWS100 meeting in June
April 6, 2026
QMWS Bursary Program
About The Bursary Program
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.
Recipients
2025
- 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
For more info about the amazing recipients, click here!
2024
- 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
2023
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
2022
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.
2021
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.
2020
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.
2019
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.
QMWS NCWQ Bursary Program News
News
2026 Bursary Program
Applications for the 2026 QMWS bursaries are opening soon, delivered in partnership with NCWQ and our range of fantastic sponsors (Quota, Mater, AMA Queensland, and Queensland X-Ray)!
March 17, 2026
2026 QMWS Annual General Meeting Recap
The Queensland Medical Women’s Society came together for a vibrant AGM and dinner, celebrating 2025 successes and unveiling an exciting vision for 2026. Dr Cathryn Hester inspired members with her insights on balancing wellbeing and professional ambition, sparking lively and energising discussion.
March 17, 2026
News
Call for Nominations: 2026 Committee
Join us on the QMWS 2026 committee and help shape a supportive space for female medical students & doctors. Let’s make 2026 a year of collaboration, growth, and real impact—together!
October 27, 2025
News
Congratulations to the 2025 QMWS Bursary Recipients
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!
July 31, 2025
News
QMWS100 Update: Resilience, Reflection and Renewal
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.
May 8, 2025