Laura Barrett - Future Graduate
Success! Your request has been sent and a representative will be in contact soon.
2026 AMA Queensland Foundation Medical Student Scholarship recipient and 4th Year Medical Student at Griffith University, Gold Coast.
Growing up in rural Queensland, Laura became aware of the challenges many women face in accessing specialised healthcare.
She chose to study medicine to pursue a career dedicated to improving women’s health, with the goal of becoming a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
“In rural Queensland I witnessed the profound impact that compassionate and skilled care can have on a woman’s physical and emotional wellbeing.”
“During medical school, I have been particularly drawn to the specialty’s combination of surgical practice, acute care, and continuity of patient relationships,” she said.
As President of the Griffith Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society, and co-host of medical education podcast “The Pap Talk,” Laura has worked to promote education, collaboration, and advocacy in women’s health among medical students.
“I hope to contribute to improving access to high-quality care and advancing women’s health outcomes.”
Growing up in rural Queensland meant academic and extracurricular opportunities were limited, and determined to pursue medicine, Laura relocated to Brisbane after high school to access university education.
“Since moving at 17, I have been financially independent through my medical degree as well as my first degree in Biomedical Science, supporting myself through part-time employment, often across multiple jobs, while maintaining a full-time study load.”
The scholarship will significantly reduce the financial pressures Laura faces while undertaking the clinical years of her medical degree, where she says balancing work alongside full-time study and hospital placements is challenging.
“The scholarship will allow me to reduce my work hours and dedicate more time to my education, clinical placements, and professional development.
“I will be able to focus on assessment-intensive periods and maximise learning opportunities during placements.”
The additional support Laura will receive with the scholarship will reduce her financial burden and minimise the risk of burnout.
“This scholarship will play an important role in enabling me to successfully complete my medical training and continue working toward a career dedicated to improving women’s health.”
Laura’s scholarship was supported by the Stan and Maureen Duke Foundation under the Foundation’s Sponsor one Student Program.