Mark Wenitong

INDUCTED 2010

Dr Mark Wenitong is from the Kabi Kabi tribal group of South Queensland. He is a past president and founder of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association and has been heavily involved in the development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce and has helped develop several national workforce documents.

A man of many hats, Mark is currently co-chair of the First Nations Statewide Clinical Network for Queensland Health; Strategic Director of Research Knowledge Transition with the Lowitja Institute; Co-Chairing the codesign for the national evaluation of the IAHP; a Board member of Miwatj ACCHS in the Northern Territory; Acting Chair of Community Enterprise Queensland Remote Stores Far North Queensland; a national Mental Health Commissioner; and Board member of Gaaya Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in Social and Emotional Wellbeing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. As a member of the National Health and Medical Research Council, he is involved in several research projects as well as studying and working in Indigenous health internationally. He was a member of the Northern Territory Emergency Response Review expert advisory group in 2008 and is involved in clinical and policy work with the aim of improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes in Australia. A member of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council, Dr Wenitong is committed to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through community control. He was instrumental in the establishment of Health Action Teams in each of the 17 Cape York communities. Their success means that they are able to influence and shape service delivery through the development of community health plans. Dr Wenitong advocates for a holistic, whole system approach to an individual’s health using a family centered approach to the delivery of a comprehensive primary health care model. He has a particular interest in male health and has developed a Male Health Strategy for Cape York that looks to address the particular issues faced by men in remote communities. Within the strategy he recognises the need to celebrate Indigenous masculinities, and uphold traditional values of respect for laws, respect for elders, culture and traditions, responsibility as leaders and men, teachers of young males, holders of lore, providers, warriors and protectors of families, women, old people, and children. The Strategy aims to address access to healthcare for Aboriginal males and shapes service delivery around those principles to ensure a sustainable health system that will improve health outcomes both now and in the future.