President
Dr Simone Raye is a proud Bardi Jabbir Jabbir woman from the Kimberley. As a medical student, Simone was closely involved with the initial meetings that led to the formation of AIDA.
She continues to work as a GP in Darwin and do healthcare advocacy work, plus provide mentoring and support to Indigenous medical doctors nationally.
Vice President
Dr Jonathan Newchurch is an Indigenous man of Kaurna and Narungga. I was born on the Mika plains, now known as the suburb of Woodville. His General Practice training has taken him to rural and remote clinics to the pivotal role in Aboriginal Medical Services.
Working in public and private pain clinics, he’s witnessed the intricate relationship between physical pain and emotional well-being, fostering a deeper understanding and empathy towards patients. He is a Principal Investigator in Clinical Trials, engaging in research, striving to bridge the gaps in medical understanding and seeking novel solutions to health challenges.
Board Director
Dr Olivia O’Donoghue is descendant from the Yankunytjtjara and the Narungga Nations people. Olivia is an RACGP Fellow currently living and working in South Australia. Olivia has significant experience living and working in urban and remote Northern Territory.
Olivia is currently the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Censor for the RACGP representing National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health on matters pertaining to the quality assurance processes for education, training, policy and assessment. Including support and advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors undertaking RACGP training.
Board Director
Dr Glenn Harrison is a Wotjobaluk man from Western Victoria. Glenn undertakes clinical duties as a Senior Staff Specialist / Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Royal Melbourne Hospital and Epworth Geelong.
Dr Harrison wants to develop the Indigenous workforce, expand specialty training opportunities and improve Indigenous health outcomes and equity.
Board Director
Dr Crystal Williams has been a long-standing member of AIDA since her first year of medical school and benefited from AIDA’s support throughout her medical journey.
Dr Crystal Williams has completed additional training including the highly respected Australian Institute of Company Directors Course (AICD) to upskill in effective board governance. She is keen to continue to contribute to AIDA and support the new generation of Indigenous doctors and support AIDA’s position as a leader in Indigenous health advocacy.
Board Director
Dr Tammy Kimpton is a Palawa woman from Tasmania. She is a rural General Practitioner and Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners, working at Scone Medical Practice and has VMO rights to Scott Memorial hospital.
Tammy has been a previous AIDA Board Director and returns for the 2022–23 term.
Board Director
Dr Jean Pepperill is a Kaytetye woman from Barrow Creek in the Northern Territory. She has been living and working in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) since her third year as a medical student. Her current role is a Psychiatry Registrar with the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Psychiatry.
Dr Jean Pepperill is passionate about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health including the health and wellbeing of our doctors. AIDA has been critical throughout her journey in Medicine. It stands to improve the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medical Workforce. The mentorship and advocacy that AIDA does is fundamental to Closing the Gap and improving the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Board Director
Dr Natalie Pink is a proud Nyikina woman born on Kaurna land. Earlier this year, she was awarded fellowship from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine as a rural generalist with advanced specialised training in Indigenous health.
Throughout her career, she has been representing mob at various levels – through individual organisations, state health committees including the AMA SA as well as national representation on various working groups and the federal AMA. In the past 12 months, she has served on the AIDA board providing advocacy for mob, rural generalism, doctors in training and medical students. She hopes to continue to provide advocacy to improve the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander medical journey, improve health outcomes and continue to influence both local and national health policy.
Student Director
Mr Kyle Ryan is a Yuggera Ugarapul man from Inala, Queensland. He is currently a third-year medical student at The University of Queensland.
Alongside this Kyle’s other roles include Indigenous Officer for his local medical society and the Australian Medical Student’s Association’s Indigenous Advocacy Chair, Kyle hopes to be able to enhance healthcare education for all medical students and to create a more culturally safe space within medical schools.
The work Kyle does, is ultimately for his communities and Kyle will always acknowledge their strength and determination for better outcomes and representation