Broome-based Rural Generalist Dr Pallas Mareyo has been selected to attend an inaugural national leadership program for doctors, hosted by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
The Emerging Leaders Conference is being held on Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), WA, in October and will bring together a select group of Rural Generalists from across Australia to share ideas, develop leadership skills, and build connections that strengthen healthcare in smaller communities.
Dr Mareyo, who has lived and worked in remote regions for more than 15 years, is passionate about equity and justice, and committed to listening to and advocating for the needs of First Nations peoples and those living outside metropolitan areas.
“I feel a deep responsibility to use my skills and experience to advocate for the issues that matter most to people living remotely,” Dr Mareyo explains.
“I’m looking forward to learning from others in the group, building my leadership abilities, and finding new ways to collaborate effectively.”
Throughout her career, Dr Mareyo has taken on a range of leadership roles — from helping establish the Social Justice Student Representative portfolio at medical school, to representing junior doctors in the Northern Territory, to more recent advocacy in climate health.
“Climate change is the greatest health threat facing humanity, and can disproportionately affect our rural and remote communities,” Dr Mareyo says.
“Mitigating healthcare's impact on our environment and tackling the systems changes that are required to adapt is critically important.”
Inspired by the resilience and strength of First Nations leaders, she aims to be a conduit for respectful communication, a focus for advocacy, and an ally for those working towards more equitable healthcare.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says the College is proud to support doctors like Dr Mareyo.
“Pallas brings years of experience in remote practice, a strong voice for equity, and a genuine commitment to making systems work better for communities outside the big cities,” Dr Martin notes. “She is exactly the kind of leader this program is designed to support.”
The Emerging Leaders Conference will run from 19–21 October, immediately ahead of the annual Rural Medicine Australia conference hosted by ACRRM and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia in Boorloo (Perth).