Indigenous Family Breaks Barriers in Medicine
How this Indigenous mother paved the way for her children to study medicine
Image: Abc
Ieesha Nasser, inspired by her mother Tatum Maybir, is beginning her medical journey at Western Sydney University. Following her brothers, Jamaal and Abdul, who are now junior doctors, the family emphasizes the importance of Indigenous representation in medicine and aims to give back to their community.
- 01Ieesha Nasser has started her medical degree at Western Sydney University, following her brothers Jamaal and Abdul who graduated last year.
- 02The Nasser siblings are motivated by their mother, Tatum Maybir, who entered medicine after raising her six children.
- 03As of December 31, 2025, only 0.6% of registered medical practitioners in Australia identified as Indigenous.
- 04The Badanami Centre at Western Sydney University plays a crucial role in supporting Indigenous students in their educational journey.
- 05Ieesha aims to work in Indigenous clinics to give back to her community after completing her studies.
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Ieesha Nasser, at 18, is pursuing a medical degree at Western Sydney University, inspired by her mother, Tatum Maybir, and her two older brothers, Jamaal and Abdul, who are now junior doctors. Tatum, who entered medicine after raising her six children, emphasizes the importance of Indigenous representation in healthcare. Currently, only 0.6% of registered medical practitioners in Australia are Indigenous, highlighting a significant gap in the profession. The Nasser siblings are motivated to change this narrative, with Jamaal aspiring to specialize in surgery to address the lack of Indigenous surgeons. They credit much of their success to the Badanami Centre, an Indigenous pathway program that supports students in higher education. Ieesha hopes to work in Indigenous clinics to contribute to her community, reflecting the family's commitment to giving back. Tatum expresses immense pride in her children's ambitions, noting the empowerment that comes from their presence in the medical field.
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The Nasser family's journey highlights the need for more Indigenous representation in healthcare, which can lead to improved health outcomes for Indigenous communities.
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