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
-
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.
Scopus5 Europe PMC12016 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.
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
Connect With Me
External Profiles