Isaiah Kamid (centre) with his Pop and wife Sara at his Curtin graduation.
Author | Carmelle Wilkinson
Travelling through the education system as an Indigenous student, Isaiah Kamid was always discouraged from pursuing a career in medicine.
Told by his teachers to choose a path more realistic and achievable, he ended up studying a trade, which he never enjoyed.
“Since very young I always wanted to be a doctor,’’ he said.
“My nanna was a nurse and one of my oldest memories is going with her to the hospital and hanging out with the doctors while she worked.
“I remember them being so nice and people would always smile at them and say thank you. They were so respected, and I thought to myself that’s what I want to do when I grow up.
“I always wanted to be the kid that helped when someone was hurt and put the band aid on. This stayed with me my whole life.”
Born in Port Hedland, Isaiah spent his childhood in the far north of the State, moving to Darwin with his mum when he was 11.
“In Year 10, we talked to our teachers about what we wanted to do when we left school, and I mentioned I had a strong interest in health science and that I would like to become a doctor one day. But that was quickly discouraged,’’ he said.
“I was told my grades weren’t good enough, and I was setting myself up to fail. And I was pushed into picking a tradie job instead.”
After Isaiah left high school, he worked as a pool cleaner, a general trades’ assistant on wharfs, a carpenter and also at the mines.
While he disliked the work terribly, he had the great good fortune of having grandparents who counselled him to return to study, so he could spend his life doing something he loved, and a mother who believed in him.
Isaiah also had an opportunity to try out for the Western Force rugby team, but sadly a recurring knee injury side lined him permanently.
“That was the final blow and I remember I took it pretty bad,’’ he said.
“After this, and with my family’s encouragement I decided to pursue a health-related career and enrolled for Curtin’s Enabling Course.
“I achieved a 95 percent average across eight units, and from then was told about the new medicine course. I thought to myself ‘this has to be fate’, so I applied.”
Isaiah (centre) with fellow doctor mates on plastics rotation.
Despite the challenges, Isaiah was determined to make the most of the incredible opportunity.
“Some days were really tough. But because I worked really hard to get there, I knew I had to work even harder to stay,” he said.
“I was the only student who didn’t have a laptop or a decent phone to do schoolwork during my first year, so I would stay late at uni or use public libraries to finish my assignments.
“I was also living with my nanna and pop in Mandurah at the time, so getting to and from campus was about a two hour round trip. But it was all worth it.”
Isaiah also credits the support of his now wife, Sara, who was also a med student at Curtin, for keeping him on the straight and narrow.
“Sara really helped me through those difficult times and would motivate me to study,’’ he said.
“I definitely give credit to her for helping me get through my exams and eventually graduate.
“I have had so much support from my family, honestly, it is such a good feeling knowing how much people care and want you to succeed.”
Graduating last year, Isaiah and Sara are now wrapping up their first internship year at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
“Looking back, receiving that call at 7am in the morning from Curtin Medical School offering me a placement was a moment I will never forget,’’ he said.
“This year was a real eye opener and working in ED was at times very confronting. But I soon found my pace and rhythm.
“My pop told me since I was little that hard work pays off and it really does. It might not pay off today or tomorrow, but hard work will eventually pay off and will help you in figuring out what you want to do.”
Isaiah said it was thanks to the strong values instilled by his pop that he now has his sights set on becoming a surgeon.
Since young, Isaiah had a special bond with his Pop.
“My pop is a Bardi man from Broome and the hardest working person I know,’’ he said.
“He told me to always be honest, respect others and learn to be quiet at times so I can learn a thing or two.
“At 80 he is still working and setting a good example. He’s part of the stolen generation and after serving in Vietnam war he returned to WA and started working on mining equipment.
“He holds every ticket and machinery licence there is.”
As for those teachers in his former high school who doubted his ability..
“I really wish they could see me now,’’ he said.
Author | Carmelle Wilkinson
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