Passion and positive impact drive Jay’s medical ambition

First published by CQUniversity

By Sala Mkoka

CQUniversity medical student Jay Warcon is a strong believer in education, striving towards positive change and staying grounded – and he's determined to keep the fire burning until he sees the gap closed in Indigenous health in Australia.

Growing up local to the Central Queensland region, Jay adopted a great sense of appreciation for education – which has proved pivotal to his journey through the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine), CQUniversity’s Regional Medical Pathway (RMP). 

As a proud Darumbal man, Jay is determined to work towards Closing the Gap for fellow Indigenous Australians and is proud of the fact that he will have a unique perspective to offer that is still largely lacking in Australia’s healthcare landscape.

“Being Indigenous, I’m very aware of the health gap between Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians, and so trying to close the gap is a major factor in me wanting to become a doctor,” Jay said.

“And by being ‘Blak, loud and proud’, it means I am not ashamed of my Indigenous heritage – when I progress through the Regional Medical Pathway and graduate as a doctor, I will have a unique perspective to offer compared to most of the doctors in Australia, and it also means that I am willing to share my views and give potential insight onto matters that others might not have or see.

“In being an Indigenous doctor, I believe I will have a unique understanding of the challenges facing my First Nations patients and I will be able to offer them an opportunity to be treated by someone who understands and knows the importance of culture.

“Improving cultural safety in healthcare access can help to improve the way Indigenous Australians access and engage with services,” he said. 

Jay also added: “I am extremely proud to be one of the very first Central Queensland-raised students in the RMP because this will mean I will be one of the very first Darumbal people to have completed their full medical studies and training on Country, surrounded by culture. 

On reflecting on the theme of NAIDOC 2024, the high-achieving third-year student said:

“To me, ‘keep the fire burning’ means that the passion that we had when we first set out to do something in life should never be lost – we must always remember our roots and where we came from so that we remain grounded, which will then allow us to keep the passion and keep the fire burning.

“It also means that during our everyday lives, we always have opportunities to make a positive change, however big or small, and in doing so, the fire will not be extinguished.

“I hope to instil in future generations a belief that they can overcome difficulties and make a positive contribution to society. I want them to know that no matter what happens in their lives, especially if they are Indigenous and are facing problems such as intergenerational trauma, that they are able to overcome it and can strive to pursue their career aspirations.”

Jay was among the foundation cohort of students to enter the Regional Medical Pathway in 2022 and will graduate from the CQUniversity course at the end of this year, before moving into The University of Queensland’s MD course to be delivered in full, in Rockhampton. 

The RMP is a medical education and training pathway pioneered by CQUniversity, The University of Queensland (UQ), and the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services (CQHHS and WBHHS) – to allow students to complete the entirety of their medical training in the regions.  

It sees students complete a three-year Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) course with CQUniversity, before moving into UQ’s four-year MD program, with both education programs delivered locally in Bundaberg and Rockhampton.

As part of the partnership, the Hospital and Health Services provide students with internship opportunities and postgraduate training places within their regional footprints. 

CQUniversity is proud to celebrate NAIDOC Week activities right across the campus footprint, championing the national theme ‘Keep the fire burning!: Blak, Loud and Proud’. View more information for your local area via the NAIDOC website.