Dr Rheannon Griffin - 2025 Graduate
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2025 AMA Queensland Foundation Medical Student Scholarship recipient and now JCU graduate doctor
Mother of two young children and a third generation James Cook University (JCU) student, Rheannon’s journey into medicine has been marked by ongoing perseverance. In the face of adversity, she demonstrates a deep commitment to creating a better future for her family and contributing to the health of her community.
“My pathway into medicine was unconventional. After struggling academically and failing high school, I was determined to find a way to achieve my goals,” Rheannon said.
Working tirelessly to overcome her past academic challenges, Rheannon secured a place in the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program at JCU. Now in her final year, she hopes to pursue a rural generalist pathway, with a sub-specialty in obstetrics.
Rheannon’s ambitions to become a doctor stem from a determination to improve healthcare outcomes for rural and underserved communities.
“My own upbringing in Townsville and having extended family in remote areas exposed me to the disparities in healthcare access that exist in non-metropolitan regions,” she said.
“I am driven by a desire to provide equitable care and make a meaningful impact on families like my own.
As a young mother living independently with two young children, studying medicine has not been easy financially.
“My family has made significant sacrifices for me to attend university. Living on a tight budget while supporting two young children has required careful financial planning and often forgoing non-essential expenses,” she said.
Recently, Rheannon’s financial strain increased due to her eldest daughter’s recent medical diagnosis and the associated cost of care. On top of this, her upcoming 10-week rural placement will require her to temporarily relocate.
“This scholarship will make a huge difference in reducing the financial stress. The funds will cover travel, accommodation and childcare costs during my placement,” she said.
“The support will enable me to complete my final year of medicine more comfortably, ensuring I can focus on my education and clinical responsibilities without added financial stress.”
Update 2026 - Rheannon is now a graduate doctor
Rheannon describes her final year of studying medicine as "incredibly rewarding" with a highlight being the opportunity for a ten-week placement with the Women's Health Circle, with the financial support of the scholarship helping to ease the costs of travel and accommodation. The placement saw her shadowing a Maternal Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialist who provides women's health services to remote Queensland communities by plane.
"It reaffirmed that this is the kind of medicine I want to dedicate my career to, as it makes a huge difference to communities while being incredibly rewarding!" she said.
In 2026 Rheannon will be commencing her internship at Townsville University Hospital and will also take up a position on the Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway. She is excited to be building the essential skills required for a career in rural medicine. Rheannon's ultimate goal will be to gain further experience in rural women's health, particularly in obstetrics and gynaecology.
As Rheannon embarks on her medical career, she notes that the significance of the scholarship stretched beyond just financial support.
"The scholarship gave me confidence and a sense of belonging within the medical community. It reminded me that I am deserving of these opportunities and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. Through this, I became involved in incredible initiatives such as serving as a consumer representative for the Every Week Counts national project and attending inspiring events like the AMA Queensland Women in Medicine Breakfast," she said.
"Most importantly, it reinforced that there is a strong and supportive network of doctors who genuinely believe in investing in the next generation of Queensland students and doctors,"
We wish Rheannon every success in her medical career.