This Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Forum is delivered by Dr Ngaree Blow.

The learning objectives of this forum include:

• Describe and identify key features of the term ‘cultural safety’ and associated language
• Reflect upon and describe the ways culture influences health and informs our healthcare system
• Explain the principles of effective communication with culturally diverse patients
• Identify and understand the purpose for Reconciliation Action Plans within healthcare systems
• Recognise your role as health professionals in providing culturally safe practice
• Increased understanding of the six actions in the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards that focus on Aboriginal Health.

Dr Ngaree Blow is a Yorta-Yorta, Noonuccal, Goreng-Goreng woman living on Wurundjeri country. She is currently working as the Director of First Nations Health for medical education at the University of Melbourne, as well as completing research in the Intergenerational health team at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). Ngaree completed both her Doctor of Medicine and Masters of Public Health (MD/MPH) degrees concurrently and has a keen interest in public health and paediatric medicine. She has recently been recognised for her work last year when she was named one of the Australian Financial Review’s ‘100 Women of Influence’. Ngaree is a board member of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) and has been involved in many First Nations health, research and education roles.