Lani Wilson has landed her dream job, working as an Aboriginal Health Engagement Officer at Royal Melbourne Hospital.
She said she worked to advocate for the Indigenous patients "so they feel well supported at the hospital and in the community".
"I'm a proud Kombumerri woman, originally from the Gold Coast," she said.
But for the 19-year-old, full-time work may not have been possible without her own specialised health care in recent years.
As a 16-year-old, Lani could hardly make it through a week of school – she was suffering from chronic pain after being diagnosed with endometriosis.
"I presented to ED with severe abdominal pain," she said.
That was when she met Dr Penny Larcombe and a team of allied health workers at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH), who she saw weekly over the following years.
"I was seeing a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist and a pain psychologist on a weekly basis," she said.
"It made a massive impact to now being where I am, working in the healthcare field."
Specialised care for adolescents
Ms Wilson's success with this level of support has helped lead to the launch an Adolescent Health Service at GCUH, which is headed up by Dr Larcombe.
"With those stories and the research and data that's come out of those pilot cases ... it does improve health outcomes," Dr Larcombe said.
Dr Larcombe said the new program was about bridging the gap between paediatrics and adult care.
"For example, a 17-year-old that comes to the paediatric ward may have to share a room with a toddler or screaming baby, which is not conducive to their recovery," she said.
"In the same way, a 20-year-old may be sharing a ward with older adults in their 60s to 80s, which is not conducive or comfortable for young people."
Investing in the future
Dr Larcombe said a team of healthcare workers would provide specific care to young people between 14 and 20 years old.
"We'll spend more time trying to get to know them and action support.
"For example, helping them manage anxiety or helping them manage their illness, so having strategies to manage, for example, diabetes at school or work."
Dr Larcombe said the specialised service being offered at GCUH was an Australia-first, and there were plans to expand.
Ms Wilson said the support from the team was comforting.
