| Biography |
In my current position as Head of the Indigenous Health Unit I am responsible for the management and development of the Unit, curriculum development and recruitment of Indigenous medical, nursing & allied health students, research and lecturing.
Prior to this position I was Senior Lecturer and Director of the Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies, a position I held for 15 years.
I have undertaken several consultancies in collaboration with organisations including VACCHO, VicHealth koorie Health Research, the community Development Unit. The University of Melbourne, the University of fNew South Wales and James Cook University.
In 2003 and 2004, I played a key role in a consulting project undertaken by the School of Rural Health for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing pertaining to the Rural Chronic Disease Initiative. In 2005-2007 I was project manager for the 'Footprints forwards: strategies for hte recruitment, retention and support of Indigenous Medical students.
I am actively involved in a number of committees and professional organisation. My research interests include Indigenous Health, Women’s Issues, Child Abuse and I am currently completing my Doctorate on the process of reconcilliation within Australia.
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Recent
publications |
Ellender, I., Drysdale, M., Chesters, J., Et.el (2008) 'When a Dream Becomes a Nightmare: Why do Indigenous Australian medical students withdraw from their courses?', The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, Vol.37, 2008, pg 40-47
Coffin, J., Drysdale, M., Hermeston, W., Sherwood, J., Edwards, T (2008) 'Ways Forward in Indigenous Health, A Textbook of Australian Rural Health', pg 141-152
Ellender, I., Drysdale, M. (2008)How Much Is Enuff Rope?, Improving Student Retention in Higher Education, pg 38-42
Drysdale, M. Chesters, J., Faulkner,. Et.el (2006) 'Footprints Forwards: Better Strategies for the Recruitment, Retention and Support for Indigenous Medical Students.' RUSC, Canberra.
Wyatt, D., Whyte., Faulkner, S., Chesters., Drysdale, M., Kirkbright, S., Clough, R., Carr, H., Whyte, G., (2006) 'Building Healthy Communities: The Rural Chronic Disease Iniatitive.' Vol. 12., Number 2., August., Australian Journal of Primary Health Care.
Robinson, A., Burley, M., McGrail, M., Drysdale,M., Jones,R., Rickards, C. (2005) ‘The conducting and reporting of rural health research: rurality and rural population issues. Rural and Remote Health' (in press)
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Current
research projects |
'Footprints forwards: strategies for the recruitment, retention and support of Indigenous Medical students.'
This project was a collaboration between three Universities; University of New South Wales, James Cook University and Monash University being the fundholder. This involved several components of research and provided a detailed report to the funding body RUSC. We were successful in gaining funding to disseminate the project which is currently in progress.
In 2003 and 2004, I played a key role in a consulting project undertaken by the School of Rural Health for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing pertaining to the Rural Chronic Disease Initiative. My role was the provision of advice on cultural and community understandings, to consult with health services and communities undertaking RCDI projects and contributions to policy recommendations.
Another recent consulting assignment I was involved with was the Actin’ it Out Project for GP training. This project was funded by General Practice Education and Training. This was an innovative approach to teaching and learning. The project used Indigenous actors to develop scenarios to teach GPs about a wide range of Indigenous health and cultural issues. I worked with Illbijerri Indigenous Theatre to develop themes that communicated issues across cultural boundaries. Apart from the involvement of the Indigenous Unit within the Monash University School of Rural Health the consortium comprised the VACCHO and VicHealth Koorie Health Research and the Community Development Unit, The University of Melbourne.
During 2002 and 2003 my unit and I were involved with the Koorie Health and Wellbeing project. This was undertaken through the KODE (Koorie Open Door Education) School. Other partners in this project were the Latrobe Community Health Service, Central Gippsland Aboriginal Health and Housing Co-operative and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (VACCHO).
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