Outstanding nursing student
Shanese Friel completed her final year of a Bachelor of Nursing. Originally from Darwin, NIKERI Institute has supported her to engage in placements in rural and remote areas and the flexibility to study both in Melbourne and Darwin as needed which were also supported by an Indigenous Rotary Health Scholarship that she received.
Shanese was previously a participant in the Young Indigenous Women in STEM Academy in collaboration before becoming a mentor in the program. She has previously interned with the Victorian Department of Health.
Shanese has now continued her journey at Deakin with the commencement of her Doctor of Medicine studies.
Social Work placement
NIKERI Institute Bachelor of Social Work Student Tianna Ratahi was successful in gaining placement with the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities in the Elder in Residence team at the beginning of March. Tianna supported Elder in Residence Dr Christine Fejo-King to provide strategic and cultural support with programs to build stronger agency and relationships with Aboriginal communities and families. Through this placement Tianna has written an annotated bibliography that is now an integral part of policy recommendations regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge sovereignty in the Northern Territory.
Nursing high achievers
Teayana Salter is a final year Bachelor of Nursing student who will be completing her studies after her final placement in 2022. She was nominated for the 2021 HESTA Indigenous Award for Excellence. The award recognises an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Bachelor of Nursing student in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and clinical excellence throughout the course.
Klameisha Duckford is another Bachelor of Nursing student due for completion this year. She has successfully gained a placement of grad year in the paediatric emergency department at Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide and has also applied for post-graduate study in Child and Family Health.