Earlier this month, ten nursing and midwifery students joined healthcare professionals, researchers, educators and policy makers from across Australia for the Australian Pharmacy Council’s Interprofessional Colloquium. Together they explored what culturally safe, inclusive healthcare looks like in practice and what it means for the communities they will one day serve.

The experience challenged perspectives, sparked meaningful conversations and strengthened their understanding of patient-centred care. Most importantly, it helped shape the kind of practitioners they aspire to become.

These students make up the inaugural Anmac Interprofessional Education (IPE) Colloquium Scholarship cohort, representing seven universities across Australia.

‘This scholarship completely shifted my perspective on what healthy inclusive healthcare truly looks like and helped me feel supported as I grow into my role as a future nurse. It has shaped the kind of practitioner I want to become, someone who values diversity and provides care that makes every person feel seen and heard.’

- Thuendel Choden, Master of Nursing, Edith Cowan University

For nurses and midwives, clinical expertise is only part of delivering high-quality care. They support people through some of life's most significant moments - from welcoming a new baby to navigating serious illness, recovery and loss. Clinical competence is essential but so is understanding what safety means to each patient.

Developing that understanding comes from hearing perspectives beyond your own. Through the Colloquium, scholars engaged in conversations that challenged assumptions, encouraged reflection and reinforced the importance of collaboration across professions to improve health outcomes.

Investing in the future workforce

As the independent authority responsible for accreditation and skills assessment in nursing and midwifery, Anmac plays a vital role in supporting a safe, capable and culturally responsive workforce. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, the scholarship reflects a direct investment in the next generation of health professionals.

‘We want to reinvest in the professions we regulate. Providing a genuine opportunity to students as they build their careers is something we are deeply committed to. Anmac is more than a regulator, and we are invested in the success of every student who joins this workforce. Our goal is to help build a workforce that is safe, competent and culturally safe, in which both practitioners and patients experience high-quality care.’

- Camilla Rowland, CEO, Anmac

The ten scholars arrived in Canberra curious, engaged and eager to learn. They returned home with new insights, stronger professional networks and a deeper understanding of what culturally safe healthcare can achieve.

These are conversations that will stay with them throughout their careers and Anmac could not be prouder to support their journey.

2026 Anmac IPE Colloquium Scholarship recipients

• Bree-Ann (Bree) Coles, Murdoch University
• Carly van Bracht, University of Newcastle
• Hayley May Pickering, University of Newcastle
• Jade Brianna Howgate, Curtin University
• Minh Tri (John) Luong, Deakin University
• Minyue Yao, The University of Queensland
• Phoebe Tonkin, Deakin University
• Shawnae Balogh, Deakin University
• Thuendel Choden, Edith Cowan University
• Tushar Kanti Baidya, University of Technology Sydney (UTS)