From culture to community care: Dr Lucinda Colbert's journey in general practice
For Dr Lucinda Colbert, becoming a doctor was never just about medicine. It was about people, connection and making a difference when it matters most.
A proud Gunggari woman, Dr Colbert’s journey into medicine was inspired by her late grandfather, whose determination to reconnect with his family history after discovering he was a member of the Stolen Generations left a lasting impact on her life.
“My mob connection is through my late grandfather, who was a member of the Stolen Generation,” she says.
“When he found out his history later in life, he went on to trace his ancestry to find his family and share those connections with his children and grandchildren.”
Born in Darwin on Larrakia Country and raised primarily in Brisbane, Dr Colbert completed her medical degree at Western Sydney University before embarking on a pathway that has taken her through diverse regional communities across Australia.
Today, she is undertaking fellowship training with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) while working in general practice on Magnetic Island and as part of the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.
Inspired by family
Dr Colbert’s decision to pursue medicine can be traced back to her grandfather, who battled asbestos-related disease throughout much of her childhood.
“Throughout my young life he always encouraged me to follow my dreams and made me truly believe I could do anything I put my mind to,” she says.
“Medicine wasn’t always the dream, however my grandfather suffered from asbestos-related disease my entire life until he sadly passed away when I was 13.”
Witnessing the care her grandfather received from doctors, nurses and his family opened her eyes to the profound impact healthcare professionals can have on patients and their loved ones.
“At the time I didn’t understand the hierarchy, the specialties or even the medicine pathway at all, but I knew I wanted to make the difference for people that my grandfather’s doctors made for him.
“I wanted to be there for someone when they needed it most.”
Finding her place in general practice
While medicine was a clear calling, choosing a specialty was less straightforward. Drawn to continuity of care and community-focused medicine, Dr Colbert ultimately found her professional home in general practice and rural generalism.
“I had always been interested in general practice and continuity of care, but RMA 2022 was the moment I thought, yes, this is it,” she says.
“I had been struggling to choose one pathway because I wanted to do a few different things and hearing the incredible range of roles rural generalists were doing with their GP training was inspiring.”
The flexibility and breadth of rural generalist medicine continue to shape her career. Already she has combined GP and emergency training on Magnetic Island, completed a Graduate Diploma of Child Health, and is now applying for advanced skills training in psychiatry to strengthen mental health services in regional communities.
“I love not feeling limited to one area,” she says.
Breaking down misconceptions
Like many doctors entering community-based practice, Dr Colbert found the transition from hospital medicine to general practice both exciting and challenging.
“The biggest challenge so far has been transitioning into general practice and leaving behind the hospital environment and its team-based style of medicine,” she says.
“In the first few weeks I often wondered if I was good enough to be there and to care for my patients.”
She says another challenge has been confronting outdated perceptions about the profession she has chosen.
“I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard that general practice is less than other specialties, that it’s a backup plan if someone misses out on a spot on a ‘real’ training pathway, as if general practice does not also require intelligence and its own unique skillset.”
For Dr Colbert, the reality of general practice is far removed from those stereotypes.
“The best GPs genuinely care about the patient as a whole person,” she says.
“They learn their patients’ lives and experiences and understand their values so they can provide meaningful and collaborative care.”
The power of patient relationships
The aspect of general practice that continues to resonate most strongly with Dr Colbert is the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients.
“The most rewarding part has been the patient connection,” she says.
“After six months in the practice, I now have regular patients, and supporting their health by tailoring care to their individual circumstances has been incredibly fulfilling.”
One patient in particular stands out as a reminder of why she chose medicine.
“I have been working with a patient since my second week in the practice, investigating, diagnosing and now managing their chronic condition,” she says.
“Over time we have built a strong doctor patient relationship and helping them navigate such a significant life change has been incredibly rewarding.”
The experience reinforced the values that first drew her to medicine.
“They supported me as I found my feet as a new GP registrar, and I feel we have walked their health journey together.”
“Medicine has always been about people for me, and this experience reminded me exactly why I worked so hard to be here.”
Connecting through culture and community
As Australia celebrates NAIDOC Week, Dr Colbert reflects on the significance of culture, connection and community in her life and career.
“NAIDOC Week has always held a special place in my heart as a time when Indigenous culture is celebrated and there is space to pause and connect with culture and community,” she says.
“As someone who has moved often over the last decade, NAIDOC Week has been a chance to immerse myself in each new community, learn and make meaningful connections.
“It is a time I look forward to every year.”
She says she is encouraged by the growing visibility of First Nations doctors across the profession and values the opportunity to learn from those who have paved the way.
“I have met so many deadly First Nations doctors that I could never list them all, which is incredible since it wasn’t too long ago that you were hard-pressed to find an Indigenous doctor particularly in certain specialties,” she says.
“Being involved with ACRRM, AIDA, RMA and IGPTN I am so privileged to be surrounded by and learn from amazing doctors like Uncle Louis Peachey, Dr Belinda Washington, Dr Natalie Pink and Dr Patricia Mulholland.”
She also credits one of her closest friends for continuing to inspire her every day.
“I am also grateful for my gorgeous friend Dr Paige Ara, who has been by my side since day one of medical school.”
A message for future First Nations doctors
Looking ahead, Dr Colbert hopes to continue serving communities as a rural generalist while contributing to the education and mentoring of future generations of doctors.
“I still see myself in medicine as a rural generalist, supporting my community in the ways they need most,” she says.
“I envision practising collaborative and holistic healthcare and continuing to learn from my patients every day.”
She also hopes to remain involved in education and advocacy, helping shape a stronger future for junior doctors and medical students.
For First Nations people considering a career in medicine or general practice, her advice is simple but powerful.
“I am going to borrow this from my mum, and that is to just go for it,” she says.
“Whether it is applying to medical school, a training program, a job, or even trying a new hobby to help balance life and medicine, take the opportunity and give it a go.”
“The only opportunities missed are the ones you do not take.”
It is a philosophy that has guided Dr Colbert’s own journey – one built on courage, connection, culture and a deep commitment to caring for communities across Australia.
