Hailing from Brisbane, Robert's journey into medicine began with an unexpected twist.
Initially, Robert was drawn to healthcare but had no intentions of becoming a doctor, in fact he was almost certain he didn’t want to be one.
He was more interested in combining his parents' professions of engineering and nursing, he started pursuing toxicology and pathology.
“Then I found myself really wanting to make diagnosis and I realised I actually like talking to people, so maybe a lab position wouldn't really suit me in the long term,” he said.
A conversation with his mother about the necessity of being a doctor to make diagnoses sparked a change in his career trajectory.
Robert's decision to join Central Queensland University's (CQU) Regional Medical Pathways program was equally unanticipated.
He stumbled upon the program at a jobs expo in Brisbane, initially drawn to the CQ stall for free merchandise. A conversation with a representative revealed the new medical program, and Robert decided to apply. Now part of the program's pilot class, Robert finds himself in a close-knit learning environment, markedly different from the bustling campuses in Brisbane.
As an Indigenous medical student, Robert recognises the importance of having more Indigenous doctors.
"The value of Indigenous doctors is tremendous, not only from a cultural standpoint but also from the perspective of having a doctor you can identify with,” he said.
He believes that cultural safety and having a doctor who understands and identifies with one's cultural background significantly enhance healthcare outcomes for any patient.
Looking ahead, Robert remains open-minded about his future specialisation, with a growing interest in rural and regional medicine.
He is drawn to the idea of working in diverse settings, from hospitals to GP clinics, and making a meaningful impact in underserved communities.
Working in rural communities you can actually make a very big difference,” he said.
“If you look at the impact you can have, even in a large regional centre like Bundaberg, is much more than in Brisbane.
“It then gets magnified the further out from the cities you go and so does the significance you mean to that community.”