Kym Thomas

Kym Thomas

Health and Medical Sciences Faculty Office

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Kym Thomas is a Nukunu Aboriginal person committed to the holistic development of both individuals and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly in regards to personal development, health, employment, and education. He is currently conducting research to assess the effectiveness of Australian Government-funded aged care services delivered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Kym was employed with The University of Adelaide as the Aboriginal Engagement Coordinator, at the Port Augusta site. He is now with the Faculty of Health and Sciences, Adelaide Rural Clinical School, with his main role in recruitment and retention of Indigenous students to become our next Indigenous Doctors and leaders of the future.

As the Aboriginal Engagement Coordinator, Kym was responsible for initiating and managing collaborative partnerships and projects which contribute to the overall Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy at The University of Adelaide. This includes the engagement with schools, colleges, universities, industry, government, and community stakeholders (in particular, Aboriginal communities and organisations that provide services for Aboriginal people) to increase the participation and enrollment of Aboriginal people in the University’s preparatory and Health Sciences degree programs. His main focus is promoting Undergraduate and Honours degrees within the discipline of Medicine and Health Sciences.

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2020 - ongoing Associate Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2016 - 2018 Aboriginal Engagement Coordinator University of Adelaide
    2015 - 2015 Project Officer University of Adelaide
    2014 - 2015 Manager Footsteps - Road to Recovery DASSA
    2012 - 2013 Indigenous Health Project Officer University of South Australia
    2008 - 2012 Coordinator Aboriginal Health University of South Australia
    2007 - 2007 Acting Head Aboriginal Health University of South Australia
    2002 - 2006 Project Officer University of South Australia

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2016 Award Dr Ross Ingram Memorial Prize Medical Journal of Australia Australia -
    2007 Award Vice Chancellor's Award, Outstanding Contribution to Service University of South Australia Australia -

  • Research Interests
    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Indigenous and Disadvantaged Health

  • Journals
    Year Citation
    2023 Thomas, K., Dettwiller, P., & Gonzalez-Chica, D. (2023). Who cares about Aboriginal Aged Care? Evidence of home care support needs and use in rural South Australia. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 31(4), 704-713.
    DOI Scopus2 Europe PMC1
    2016 Thomas, K. (2016). You don’t know what you don’t know: Creating opportunities for Indigenous students in medicine and health sciences. Medical Journal of Australia, 205(11), 513-514.
    DOI
    2014 Thomas, K., Ellis, K., Kirkham, R., & Parry, L. (2014). Remote Indigenous students: Raising their aspirations and awareness of tertiary pathways. Australian and International Journal of Rural Education, 24(2), 23-35.

  • Board Memberships
    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2020 - ongoing Chair Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation Australia
    2017 - 2020 Chair National Suicide Prevention Trial Country SA Primary Health Network Australia
    2017 - 2018 Chair Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation Australia
    2008 - 2012 Board Member South Australian Red Cross South Australian Red Cross Australia
    2005 - 2018 Treasurer Males in Black Inc. (Port Augusta) Males in Black Inc. Australia
    2005 - 2011 Board Member Pika Wiya Aboriginal Health Service Pika Wiya Aboriginal Health Service Australia
    2002 - 2010 Chair Indigenous Network University Department of Rural Health Australia

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2017 - 2020 Chair Community Reference Group - South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute Australia
    2017 - 2018 Member Aboriginal Advisory Council City of Port Augusta Australia
    2015 - 2020 Member National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Health Education Committee Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Australia
    2014 - 2015 Treasurer Nukunu Peoples Council Nukunu Peoples Council Australia
    2011 - 2012 Chair Aboriginal Staff Alliance University Departments of Rural Health Australia
    2011 - 2012 Chair Innovative Community Action Networks Innovative Community Action Networks Australia
    2008 - 2008 Member Indigenous Health Review Panel National Health & Medical Research Council Australia
    2008 - 2008 Member Steering Committee Yarnballa Cultural Festival Australia
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