Dr Nathan Luies, a First Nations sport and exercise physician

My name is Dr Nathan Luies.

I'm a Karajarri man with family and cultural connections to the Yaru people here in Broome.

While I'm a spawn excise medicine physician, I work with patients from very young through to very old, primarily dealing with their musculoskeletal injuries, but I also prescribe exercise in the prevention and management of chronic disease.

I've got an auntie who is also a medical doctor.

She has been a fantastic guide for me and mentor and is someone that I've always looked up to in her role in health, looking after mob.

So my training has been quite extensive.

I initially was a physiotherapist studied at Curtain University, before going back to university and completing a postgraduate medical degree at the University of Western Australia.

After completing my internship in residency, I applied for sport and exercise medicine specialist training with the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Medicine Physicians, which I've recently finished in 2024 and I'm the first Indigenous sport and exercise medicine physician in the country.

I'm motivated by my connection to my culture.

I'm motivated by my connection to the country.

I'm motivated by the ongoing disparities that exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, particularly in the health sector with which I work.

And while those continue to exist, I'll continue to want to work in the space doing my bit to try and help close that gap between those disparities.

I would tell any young or old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are considering a role in health that it is a great job.

You get to learn fantastic skills and be employable all over the country.

But also it's a great way to be able to connect with your community and help to improve the wellbeing and health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.