Dr Peter Sharp recognised at ANU Medical School Indigenous Health Ceremony

Dr Peter Sharp recognised at ANU Medical School Indigenous Health Ceremony

Dr Chris Bourke, ACT Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, today paid tribute to the late Dr Peter Sharp and detailed the ACT Government’s Dr Peter Sharp Scholarship for students in the Indigenous health stream of the ANU Medical School.

Dr Bourke also congratulated the ANU Medical School and the Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education centre, at their scholarship ceremony today, for their commitment to Closing the Gap in health outcomes.

The ceremony included the presentation of the National Indigenous Medicine Scholarship to Benjamin Doyle and the John James Memorial Foundation Scholarship to Sean Barrett, who are both first year Indigenous medical students at the Australian National University Medical School.

Dr Chris Bourke said the Dr Peter Sharp scholarship worth $50,000 a year will allow ANU medical students in the Indigenous health stream to travel to training events, clinical placements and conferences to support research. The scholarship will also help potential ANU Medical School students prepare for the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test.

"Dr Peter Sharp AM dedicated his life to Indigenous health in the ACT as Medical Director of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service for more than 22 years. ’Dr Pete’ as he was known, won many awards during his career including the Limelight Award judged by the Deans of Australian and New Zealand medical schools for innovation in training medical students" Dr Bourke said.

"The Dr Peter Sharp scholarship is a fitting recognition of Dr Pete’s contribution to the Canberra community and medicine. It is part of the ACT Government’s commitment to investing in Indigenous education, health and careers to help close the gap in outcomes," Dr Bourke said.