About Us

What is IGTPN?

The Indigenous General Practice Trainee Network (IGPTN) is a network for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GP trainees to provide professional and cultural support to one another.

We exist to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to become General Practitioners (GPs). By working to increase the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GPs, the IGPTN positively contributes to:

Improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Promoting a health system responsive to patient needs, including increasing the comfort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people when seeking medical assistance
Promoting positive role models to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people
Training and workforce equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GPs

VIEW OUR INTERIM STRATEGIC PLAN

History of IGPTN

Prior to becoming the Indigneous General Practice Trainee Network, we were known as the Indigenous General Practice Registrars Network (IGPRN), which was was established by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GP trainees, with the assistance of General Practice Education and Training (GPET), in 2008. The Network was formed after a number of years of discussion by trainees.

Following a decision in October 2011 by the Network to align with General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA), GPET provided funding to GPRA to support the Network. The relationship between IGPRN and GPRA continues today.

In 2019, IGPRN initiated the process of becoming incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC). The Network’s decision to pursue incorporation was driven by an increasing desire for self-determination. Upon incorporation, the IGPTN established a board of directors and governance structure that aligns with our members values and goals, and for the benefit of our members and more broadly, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GPs.

Indigenous General Practice Trainee Network (IGPTN) now continues as an independent voice, supporting ALL Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GPs in Training.

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Rule Book

The Indigenous General Practice Trainee Network (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation) is a corporation registered under the CATSI Act.

Our Indigenous Corporation Number: 10141

VIEW RULE BOOK

Network Patron

Dr Mark Wenitong is the Adjunct Associate Professor at James Cook University School of Tropical Public Health, the Aboriginal Public Health Medical Officer at NACCHO and the Senior Medical Advisor at Apunipima Cape York Health Council. He is from the Kabi Kabi tribal group of South Queensland.

Mark has worked as the senior medical officer at Wuchopperen Health Services in Cairns, and as medical advisor to OATSIH in Canberra. He is the former president and founding member of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, and is a member of the National Health and Medical Research Council, National Preventative Health Committee, and the National Lead Clinicians Group. He holds a ministerial appointee to NATSIHEC, the Independent e-health Advisory Committee, and chairs the Andrology Australia – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Reference Group.

Mark is also a council member of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. In 2011, Mark was awarded the AMA President’s Award for Excellence in Healthcare, and in 2010, he received the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council Hall of Fame Award.