AIDA to lead the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME) program 

The Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA’s) journey as the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students, doctors, and workforce has resulted in a successful application worth nearly $3 million to lead the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME) program. 

By taking the lead on the LIME program, AIDA will further facilitate impactful and sustained transformation within the medical education sector. Amongst other key outcomes, AIDA will work with Universities to capture and annually report on the retention rate of Indigenous Medical Students and identify any gaps to student success. 

AIDA CEO, Donna Burns said this will enable AIDA to continue working towards equitable health outcomes for Indigenous peoples.  

“Gaining a deeper understanding of the barriers and opportunities within the medical education sector and partnering with universities to make positive change will result in more Indigenous doctors,” Ms Burns said. 

“We know that 4.2% of students commencing medicine nationally are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, which is above population parity. However, the number declines upon graduation with only 2.3%¹ of medical graduates identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.  

“We want to understand why, and how, through collaborative efforts, we can make this better. 

“The LIME program is intended to not only increase the number of First Nations medical students enrolled in tertiary education, but vitally, to increase the number of First Nations medical graduates. This is essential for building a healthcare system that truly reflects and serves the communities we represent, improving outcomes for patients nationally.  

“It is crucial that we increase our presence in the education sector, to positively impact a student’s experience and education, and ensure they are supported through to graduation.” 

AIDA Student Director, Brodie Seymour said the work that LIME has done for Indigenous medical students over the past decades has been phenomenal.  

“What began as collaborations among medical deans years ago has grown into a significant force in addressing health disparities among Indigenous Australians. Now, with the LIME program transitioning under AIDA, we couldn’t be more excited, especially from an Indigenous medical student perspective,” Mr Seymour said.  

“Medical students already have a lot on their plates, and as the degree progresses, balancing grades and wellbeing becomes increasingly challenging. This transition streamlines support for future generations of Indigenous doctors to create even greater opportunities. 

“Graduation is such a powerful milestone for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students. When they walk across that stage to collect their degree, there may only be a few in the crowd, but you can feel the support of their communities, the people who believed in their dreams. You feel their pride in representing their mob and the optimism for the future; because with every graduate, we gain another Indigenous doctor committed to addressing health disparities. 

“The future looks bright, and I can’t wait to see the positive outcomes from this transition.” 

AIDA acknowledges the history of the LIME program since its inception in June 2005. We are dedicated to building upon this legacy of excellence. 

 ENDS