Following our earlier post where we announced the recipients of the 2022 Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursaries, we are pleased this week to profile recipient, Dr Sarah Jane Springer (NEE McEwan), a Wiradjuri woman from Mudgee, NSW and is currently working at Charleville, Queensland.

Sarah joins other recipients Ms Lauren Roth and Dr Nicole Whitson who have each been awarded a Bursary of $1000 to contribute to career, leadership and professional development activities.

Dr Sarah Jane Springer was recently profiled in RACMA’S The Quarterly Journey Q2. She was also celebrated last year as recipient of the inaugural 2021 Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursaries.

PROFILE – Dr Sarah Jane Springer

Dr Sarah Jane Springer, is a Wiradjuri woman from Mudgee, NSW and is currently working at Charleville, Queensland.

At the NAIDOC Week Bursary Celebration in July 2022, Sarah provided a moving video detailing her work and insights as a medical woman as she develops her multidisciplinary skills and completes the Leadership for Clinicians Course, Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators.

“I would like to provide a massive thanks to the AFWM organisation for their focus and consideration developing a bursary of this nature for First Nations women in this country.

A big shout out to all the sponsors for acknowledging the value of supporting us in our quest for better health outcomes and leadership for our mobs.”

“Medical Leaders in the health care system are crucial and more importantly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical leaders…(this) will not only assist to dismantle barriers, but we can also apply a holistic understanding of health and wellbeing that can benefit all Australians. Transformative change cannot and will not occur unless we are represented at the decision tables that affect our lives.”

Congratulations Sarah!