Dr Mangatjay McGregor

Scholarships support Yolngu medical graduate

Twenty-six-year-old Flinders University graduate, Dr Mangatjay McGregor (BClinSc/MD ’18) is believed to be the very first Yolngu medical doctor.

Mangatjay McGregor grew up on Milingimbi Island, a remote Aboriginal community in North East Arnhem Land, at the very top of the Northern Territory. Even as a small child he had an immense empathy for others who were in pain.

‘I took great interest in listening to the concerns of friends and family,’ says Dr McGregor. ‘I find helping people through their hardships to be a very rewarding experience and I decided that I would pursue a career in medicine where I could put this passion to good use.’

In 2011 Dr McGregor moved to Adelaide to study medicine at Flinders University.

‘Moving so far away from home was a challenging and life-changing experience. I was uprooted from my usual support network and forced outside of my comfort zone,’ says Dr McGregor. ‘Because of this, and through my time at Flinders, I developed a lot of strength and resilience. I also established some deep friendships that continue to this day.’

During his studies, Dr McGregor received the donor-funded Professor Michael Kidd AM Scholarship and Poche Centre for Indigenous Health Fund Scholarship. While the scholarships allowed Dr McGregor to purchase essential textbooks and study resources, they also enabled him to broaden his clinical experience through unique and life-changing clinical placements.

Dr Mangatjay McGregor wears Yolngu adornments over his graduation robes at his Flinders University graduation in December 2018.

‘The scholarships supported my studies in many ways,’ says Dr McGregor. ‘In my final year of medicine I was able to afford a car to travel back to Arnhem Land for a six week clinic placement and I was also able to do a six week medical placement in Zambia.’

After graduating last year, Dr McGregor is now an intern at Royal Darwin Hospital. He says, ‘It’s been nice to come home to the NT for a while. I’m in the process of applying for paediatric training as I’d like to be a paediatrician or child psychiatrist in the future.’

Dr McGregor hopes to one day return to his hometown of Milingimbi to set up prevention programs and putting his fluency in two Yolngu dialects to good use.

‘I want to make a positive change for not only my people, but for as many Indigenous people as I can reach out to. I believe I can do this by becoming a doctor.’