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George's passion lies in rural generalism and paediatrics, hoping to address the significant health disparities that are faced by Indigenous Australian children.
2023 President's Prize winner, George Kavalam is a final year medical student at University of WA. He was chosen from a collection of high-calibre entrants for his commitment to pursuing a career working in rural and remote communities. His story towards working in rural medicine is one of compassion, and a genuine desire to bring equitable healthcare to those who need it most.
The call of rural generalism.
George never intended to become a doctor. As he delved into his undergraduate studies he volunteered for tutoring programs in rural and remote WA communities. Seeing the disparity in health standards in Indigenous populations provided an incredible motivation to study medicine. He felt a call to assist with reducing the morbidity of preventable disease that unnecessarily and unfairly inhibited kids from being able to attend school without hindrance.
“The healthcare problems faced by rural and remote Australians are significant, and I hope for a future of health equity, where rural communities are not constrained by easily preventable and curable disease.”
During his medical degree, George’s aspiration to become a rural doctor has been only reinforced by working alongside several strong rural health role models whose work focuses on issues significant to Aboriginal child health in WA.
What AST would you like specialise in and why?
George has a keen interest in paediatrics and is passionate about elevating the health and education outcomes of our rural and remote children. He believes that all children should be given equitable opportunities, no matter where they live. In particular, he would like to specialise in culturally sensitive care and prevention strategies for chronic illnesses and skin diseases.
What are you looking forward to most at RMA23?
As George prepares to attend the RMA23, he anticipates gaining fresh perspectives and networking with some of the best rural doctors in the world. He is looking forward expanding his knowledge of culturally sensitive care and the discussions on geographic narcissism.
Where to from here?
Next year George will be interning in Darwin and is prioritising rotations that would place him in rural communities in the NT.
The call of rural generalism.
George never intended to become a doctor. As he delved into his undergraduate studies he volunteered for tutoring programs in rural and remote WA communities. Seeing the disparity in health standards in Indigenous populations provided an incredible motivation to study medicine. He felt a call to assist with reducing the morbidity of preventable disease that unnecessarily and unfairly inhibited kids from being able to attend school without hindrance.
“The healthcare problems faced by rural and remote Australians are significant, and I hope for a future of health equity, where rural communities are not constrained by easily preventable and curable disease.”
During his medical degree, George’s aspiration to become a rural doctor has been only reinforced by working alongside several strong rural health role models whose work focuses on issues significant to Aboriginal child health in WA.
What AST would you like specialise in and why?
George has a keen interest in paediatrics and is passionate about elevating the health and education outcomes of our rural and remote children. He believes that all children should be given equitable opportunities, no matter where they live. In particular, he would like to specialise in culturally sensitive care and prevention strategies for chronic illnesses and skin diseases.
What are you looking forward to most at RMA23?
As George prepares to attend the RMA23, he anticipates gaining fresh perspectives and networking with some of the best rural doctors in the world. He is looking forward expanding his knowledge of culturally sensitive care and the discussions on geographic narcissism.
Where to from here?
Next year George will be interning in Darwin and is prioritising rotations that would place him in rural communities in the NT.
“The healthcare problems faced by rural and remote Australians are significant, and I hope for a future of health equity, where rural communities are not constrained by easily preventable and curable disease.”