Beyond the bedside: exploring STEM in healthcare

As reported by SBS News, over 20 students from an Aboriginal high school in Victoria spent 3 days at Moorabbin Hospital last week, attended a fun and educational workshop aimed at opening their eyes to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The program, funded by Monash Health’s Cultural Safety Fixed Grant from the Victorian Department of Health, was delivered by Deadly Coders, an Indigenous-owned and managed not-for-profit organisation on a mission to ignite learning and career pathways in STEM for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

Through a hands-on app prototyping exercise, the students from years 7 to 10 were introduced to the fundamentals of problem-solving and user experience.

STEM plays a key role in modern healthcare, from developing new diagnostic tools and treatments to improving patient care and managing healthcare systems.

‘[Deadly Coders] approached us to run a workshop that was a little more health-focused,’ said Dan Carter, Monash Health’s Chief Aboriginal Health Advisor.

‘We are a large health service that has a strong focus on digital health and not just careers in the traditional sense of doctors, nurses and allied health. So, we thought it was a really great way to expose Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids in our state to careers in the STEM side of health.’

Students heard from Monash Health clinicians and administrative officers about their career pathways and jobs in healthcare.

Matthew Bowman, Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Operations Manager, and Kerry Strickland, Manager of Aboriginal Health Community, were among the presenters.

‘It was inspiring because it made me think that in my career I would probably help out with hospitals,’ shared Akeima, a 14-year-old student participating in the workshop.

‘The most inspiring [speaker] was the lady who worked with a man from the Northern Territory who was struggling with housing. It got me inspired to help with health and people.’

For Monash Health, which has a well-established program for the recruitment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses, midwives, and allied health workers, participating in such workshops is an opportunity to help build the future workforce and broaden the roles filled by Indigenous Australians.

To hear more about the workshop, listen to the podcast by SBS News.

Visit the Aboriginal Health section for more resources and information.