NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship five successful recipients announced

NACCHO is pleased to announce that five recipients will receive funding and support for their pharmacy studies through the inaugural NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship, proudly supported by a grant from Sanofi Australia.

The successful recipients are:

  • Bryony Forrest, Victoria
  • Jai-ann Eastaughffe, Queensland
  • James Sowter, Victoria
  • Jason Coleman, South Australia
  • Louis Emery, Queensland

The scholarship aims to build the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacist workforce and includes tailored mentoring from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders. Though the scholarship was initially established to support two applicants, the quality and number of applicants led to the expansion of the program to include five recipients.

Dr Dawn Casey PSM FAHA, NACCHO Deputy CEO said, “NACCHO was impressed with the calibre and volume of applicants we received, especially in this first year of the scholarship’s implementation.

“We are proud to provide opportunities that help build leadership and skills amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals, who are significantly underrepresented in the pharmacy profession.”

Associate Professor Faye McMillan, a proud Wiradjuri Yinaa (woman), Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner and Pharmacist said, “Look at what is possible when there are strong relationships between organisations such as NACCHO and Sanofi, the benefit to individuals, families and communities of these scholarships is transformational. Congratulations to all the recipients, I am excited to see where their journeys take them and the future of the pharmacy workforce.”

Sanofi Australia and New Zealand Country Lead, Karen Hood said, “We couldn’t be more pleased to celebrate the success of NACCHO’s inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship and are proud to support its expansion from two to five recipients this year. Congratulations to the five successful students, to the judging panel, and to the team at NACCHO whose leadership will see this scholarship build the skills of future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacists.”

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