First Nations pharmacists awarded inaugural McMillan Grant

6 June 2023

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) today proudly announces three recipients of the inaugural PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant, funding them to attend PSA’s National Conference, PSA23.

 

Professor Faye McMillan AM is a Wiradjuri yinaa (woman) originally from Trangie, NSW. She is a dedicated community pharmacist and is recognised as the first Indigenous Australian to hold a western degree in pharmacy in this country.

 

Inspired and supported by Professor McMillan herself, the PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant will be to be awarded each year to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pharmacist to attend Australia’s leading pharmacist education conference hosted by PSA.

 

Professor McMillan and PSA are very pleased to announce that this year the grant will support three First Nations pharmacists to attend the PSA23 conference in Sydney from 28-30 July 2023.

 

The recipients of this year’s grant are –

 

Alexander Burke (NSW)

 

Attending this conference will allow me to network with leaders of the profession and to be a role model for young upcoming pharmacists especially those of First Nations background. I believe that the research that I am doing is of vital importance to share with my Australian pharmacy colleagues. My research focuses on how to train pharmacists to be more culturally safe with First Nations patients.

 

Kirra Natty (NSW)

 

As an intern I am wanting to broaden my horizons and get as much experience from different conferences and events as I can to see the full scope of pharmacy practice and the possibilities that are available.

 

Scott Bates (SA)

 

The PSA conference will be a great way to develop my skills and leadership in Aboriginal Health. Particularly attending the Deadly pharmacist panel. It would be a great opportunity to see what my pharmacy peers have done in this space and share back with the working group my learnings from the panel. Additionally, this could be an incredible resource for networking with likeminded pharmacists.

 

Quote attributable to PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS:

 

“All health professionals have an obligation to provide culturally safe and appropriate healthcare.”

 

“PSA acknowledges the ongoing need to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in pharmacy, this grant opportunity represents a genuine commitment by PSA to support the existing pharmacist workforce who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

 

“Congratulations to each recipient of the PSA Faye McMillian Conference Grant, we look forward to seeing Kirra, Scott and Alexander at PSA23!”

 

Quotes attributable to Prof. Faye McMillan:

 

“Creating spaces of belonging is a critical component for reconciliation in this country. Grant opportunities such as this allow us to hold this space for others to come into.”

 

“Yindyamarra (respect) to all the grant recipients and to PSA, Mandaang guwu (thank you).”

 

 

 

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au