Indigenous General Practice Trainee Network

We are passionate about improving the healthcare of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Indigenous General Practice Trainee Network (IGPTN) is a network for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GP trainees to provide professional and cultural support to one another.

All Indigenous GP trainees are invited to be a part of IGPTN — it is free to join.

IGPTN works to ensure that we continue to Close the Gap — we believe, as part of the reconciliation process, it is essential that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders play a critical role in the Australian health system.

The network was formed in 2008 by Indigenous GP registrars who saw that the challenges and opportunities they faced would be experienced better with support from their peers. Today, it continues on in its mission to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GP trainees.

Please email admin@igptn.org.au to let us know you are interested in joining the network.

If you are an Indigenous Fellow, please get in touch! There are many opportunities to provide mentorship and to present at our workshops.

Dr Josie Guyer

Network Chair

Dr Josie Guyer is the current sitting chair of the Indigenous General Practice Trainee Network.

Dr Josie Guyer is a proud Wiradjuri woman who was born and grew up in Wagga Wagga, in the south west of NSW, and is now living and working on Dharawal and Darug Country. Josie’s ancestral lines are poorly understood as her mother and her mothers’ mother were survivors of the Stolen Generation having lived at Cootamundra Girls home for some of their lives. Josie is a proud mum of three almost adult children, and enjoys spending time with her family, walking her fur babies, swimming and reading. As the current Chair of the Indigenous General Practice Trainee Network, Josie is passionate about mentoring and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GP Trainees across Australia. Josie works part-time as a GP with a focus on mental health, women’s and child health and her other passion is supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the community, she also works part-time as the Censor for the RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander faculty.

Dr Mark Wenitong

Network patron

Dr Mark Wenitong is the Adjunct Associate Professor at James Cook University School of Tropical Public Health, the Aboriginal Public Health Medical Officer at NACCHO and the Senior Medical Advisor at Apunipima Cape York Health Council. He is from the Kabi Kabi tribal group of South Queensland.

Mark has worked as the senior medical officer at Wuchopperen Health Services in Cairns, and as medical advisor to OATSIH in Canberra. He is the former president and founding member of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, and is a member of the National Health and Medical Research Council, National Preventative Health Committee, and the National Lead Clinicians Group. He holds a ministerial appointee to NATSIHEC, the Independent e-health Advisory Committee, and chairs the Andrology Australia – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Reference Group.

Mark is also a council member of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. In 2011, Mark was awarded the AMA President’s Award for Excellence in Healthcare, and in 2010, he received the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council Hall of Fame Award.

Improved healthcare of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is our objective

Currently, in Australia, around 80 GP registrars, 250 Indigenous medical practitioners and 400 medical students are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Over half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients attend mainstream general practice.

We encourage everyone to learn more about Close the Gap. Also, you can consider working in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training post.

Bi-annual IGPTN workshops

Each year, IGPTN runs two national workshops. All Indigenous GP trainees are invited to attend. Indigenous Fellows are welcome to join and provide support, mentorship and, where applicable, present at the workshops.

At each workshop, you will have the opportunity to:

  • participate in exam preparation, including practice exams in exam conditions
  • connect peer-to-peer with other Indigenous GP trainees
  • be mentored by Indigenous Fellows
  • undertake professional development
  • undertake medical education
  • complete accredited courses (for example, advanced life support)
  • network with peers, Fellows and practices
  • attend social events.

Email admin@igptn.org.au for more information or if you would like to attend the next workshop. 

Find an Indigenous mentor or a study group

IGPTN can connect you with Indigenous GP Fellows who are interested in either mentoring or providing study support. Support can be provided face-to-face or online.

If you are an Indigenous GP Fellow interested in mentoring or supporting clinical education and exam workshop activities, please contact us.

Through formal and informal means, IGPTN members support each other by sharing their experiences and knowledge. The support of Indigenous peers during your time as a GP trainee can make a big impact on your experience. Through all our activities, we aim to better connect Indigenous GP trainees with their peers.

Please contact IGPTN or email admin@igptn.org.au if you would like to find or be an Indigenous mentor or find an Indigenous study group.

Partnerships & Scholarships

Through collaborative partnerships with other organisations, IGPTN can connect you with exciting opportunities during GP training.

We aim to improve your experience by working with these organisations:

  • Australian Indigenous Doctors Association
  • Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
  • Department of Health
  • General Practice Registrars Australia
  • General Practice Supervision Australia
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
  • National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and regional affiliates
  • Remote Vocational Training Scheme.

Scholarship opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are available to search here.

Get in touch if you are interested in joining the network.

e: admin@igptn.org.au
t:  (03) 9629 8878

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