Ms Ellen MacDonald, is of Kamiliaroi heritage, and commenced a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in 2025, at University of Queensland after successfully completing her Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UQ.
She has a passion for Mathematics and Science as the foundations of Medicine, and an equal passion for understanding and contributing to social justice for all people, with specific professional interests in neurosurgery or anaesthetics.
“While a myriad of other careers would allow me to contribute to the community in a meaningful way, Medicine distinctly interests me due to the problem-solving nature of the job – where each situation is different and often challenging.“
Ellen has shared a very moving personal story, describing how her family discovered in recent years, that her great, great, great, great grandmother was Kamilaroi woman, Bertha Bootha Lamey*, who lived to 102 years age. Ellen has since become deeply aware of the injustices her distant relatives (including Bertha Bootha Lamey) endured.
“It saddens me that this family history has remained hidden for so long, a consequence of the systemic racism that has permeated Australian society since colonisation.”
Ellen understands that the entrenched stigma and shame imposed on our First Peoples resulted in many families hiding or distancing themselves from their Aboriginal heritage.
While her family shares this history, Ellen acknowledges that because of the distance (in time), she has not endured any negative consequences of racism in her life which are still prevalent for many Aboriginal people. This has made the issues embedded in Indigenous health, politics, and social justice very real to her.
Ellen’s major motivator in studying Medicine is to work to rectify this disparity and make a positive impact towards Aboriginal health outcomes.
“.. a career in Medicine entails providing life-long service to improve the quality of life and health of my community.”
Ellen applied for a Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursary in 2025, to attend the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) annual conference in 2025, and to provide essential professional development and networking.
She would like to pursue leadership opportunities focused on Indigenous health, cultural safety, ethics, and governance. Ellen would also like to develop skills so that she can advocate effectively for Indigenous patients and challenge systemic racism in healthcare environments.
“The opportunity to care for patients is a great privilege….and I believe (it is) critical for doctors to provide the best possible medical and emotional support. “
Footnote
*Bertha Bootha Lamey’s history is described in an SBS series “First Contact” a documentary made around 2014.
Congratulations Ellen!
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