Meet Dr Anna Walmsley:

GPRA Ada Wilmadda Parry Aboriginal Health Scholarship recipient in 2024

Dr Anna Walmsley, one of the recipients of the esteemed GPRA Ada Wilmadda Parry Aboriginal Health Scholarship, exemplifies the essence of dedication and resilience in the field of general practice.

The scholarship, named after Ada Wilmadda Parry, one of the first Cultural Educators in the Northern Territory, aims to support GP registrars who are committed to improving Indigenous health and fostering cultural and linguistic understanding between Aboriginal patients and general practitioners.

Anna’s journey to becoming a GP is a testament to her unwavering commitment to this cause.

Currently practising at Pandanus Medical NT, Anna has a diverse background that has shaped her unique perspective on medicine and patient care.

Originally from Perth, she has lived all over the country and the world due to her previous career in the Royal Australian Air Force.

Her experiences include living in Ramingining, Arnhem Land, where she was deeply moved by the health disparities faced by Indigenous communities.

As a single mother of three, she decided to study medicine in the NT, balancing her academic pursuits with her family responsibilities.

“In my previous life, I deployed to Iraq with the military as an engineer,” Anna recalls.

“While there, I became sick and ended up in a military hospital where I watched the health staff work tirelessly. It was then I first became interested in medicine.

“Later, living in Ramingining and working as an ambulance driver, I saw first-hand how a person’s health can change the entire trajectory of their life.

“Watching people in my own country struggle to access appropriate health care inspired me to become part of the solution.”

The path to becoming a GP has not been easy for Anna.

She faced numerous challenges, including the demanding nature of medical studies and the difficulty of balancing her education with her family life.

“Studying medicine has been a hard slog,” she admits.

“Many people warned me, but having studied engineering and then being a mum of three, I blithely thought, ‘It can’t be that hard.’ Boy, was I wrong.

“I have faced the normal challenges of information overload and tiredness, but mostly it has hard to make my study work with my family and then on top of that overcoming imposter syndrome.  

“But through the support of my younger peers and some great supervisors and mentors, I have been able to thrive, seeing the strengths my life experience brings to my practice.”

Anna’s decision to pursue general practice was driven by her belief in the significant impact primary care can have on a person’s health.

“I feel the biggest gains to a person’s health can be made in general practice, and it is a privilege to be let into this vulnerable space where I can help people achieve this,” she explains.

“Resilience, creativity, compassion, and a good sense of humour are essential traits for a GP to possess.”

Reflecting on her future, Anna envisions herself practising in a rural town, dividing her time between general practice, a regional emergency department, and palliative care.

Throughout her journey, Anna has had numerous memorable experiences that reaffirmed her decision to become a doctor.

“Every patient has made me feel that way, even the difficult or bad consults,” she shares.

“Every time I sit and reflect on how I have been let into a space where I am asked to help people make a change, I can’t help but think I have made the right decision.

“And then, equally, there is nothing quite so satisfying as resetting a bone or incising an abscess to make your day.”

Being awarded the GPRA Ada Wilmadda Parry Aboriginal Health Scholarship is a significant milestone for Anna.

The scholarship provides $5,000 to support GP registrars in the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program who are dedicated to improving Indigenous health.

“Being a single mum and a registrar is financially difficult, particularly when looking at the cost of assessments and courses,” she says.

“The money will help me achieve my dream of fellowing and take the pressure off my kids and me in the process.”

"I feel the biggest gains to a person’s health can be made in general practice, and it is a privilege to be let into this vulnerable space where I can help people achieve this..."

Anna feels honoured to receive the scholarship, recognising the importance of Ada Wilmadda Parry’s legacy in advocating for cultural training for GPs in the NT.

“It is huge. I feel honoured to be chosen for an award like this,” she says.

“The research I have done highlights the systemic racism and barriers that are the lived experience of my First Nations patients and colleagues that I don’t and can never share in. 

“The financial help means so much to me right now, and I hope I can continue to learn and walk alongside people to use my privilege to help them choose a path to health as they see it.”

Dr Anna Walmsley’s story is one of perseverance, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to improving healthcare for all.

Her journey and the support of the GPRA Ada Wilmadda Parry Aboriginal Health Scholarship highlight the importance of fostering cultural understanding and improving access to healthcare for Indigenous communities in Australia.

Dr Walmsley will be officially presented with her scholarship at a special dinner on 7 September in Darwin during the inaugural GPRA NT Annual GP Registrars Forum event (6-8 September).

Find out more about the NT Forum, and secure your place
Read more about the GPRA NT Scholarships