Faye McMillan facts for kids

Faye Beverley McMillan AM (born 24 March 1971) is an Australian academic and pharmacist. She is famous for her important work in making Indigenous healthcare better for everyone.

In 2023, Faye received a special award called the Australian Harkness Fellowship. This award helps people study healthcare policies. She is also a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity and a Senior Fellow with Advance HE. Faye helped start a group called Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA). She was on their board from 2009 to 2017 and was even the chairperson from 2010 to 2016. In 2022, she joined the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). She has worked in universities for over 20 years and in healthcare for more than 30 years.

Early Life and Learning

Faye McMillan is a Wiradjuri woman, which is an Aboriginal Australian group. She was born in Bowral, New South Wales, Australia. She grew up in a town called Trangie, New South Wales.

Faye went to Charles Sturt University. In 2001, she finished her studies and became a pharmacist. She did her final year of training in Wagga Wagga.

Faye has continued to learn throughout her life. She has earned many different degrees and certificates. These include:

• A Master of Social Change and Leadership from the University of Melbourne.
• A Doctor of Health Science from Charles Sturt University.
• Certificates in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage.
• A Master of Indigenous Health Studies from the University of Wollongong.

She has also been given special titles called Fellowships. These show that she is an expert in her field. Some of these include:

• Harkness Fellow: The Commonwealth Fund Faye McMillan
• Lifelong Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity Associate Professor Faye McMillan AM
• Senior Fellow of Advance HE
• Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Faye's Career and Impact

Faye McMillan made history as Australia's first registered Aboriginal pharmacist. She has worked in many different places. This includes the Tiwi Islands in Australia and even in Vancouver, Canada.

As an Atlantic Fellow, Faye focuses on helping people with their mental health. She is a founding member of Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA). She also used to be the chairperson of this important group.

Currently, Faye is a Professor of Indigenous Health at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). She works between Sydney and Wagga Wagga. Before UTS, she worked at the University of New South Wales. She was also an Associate Professor at Charles Sturt University.

Faye is also one of two Deputy National Rural Health Commissioners. This means she helps improve healthcare for people living in country areas of Australia.

In 2019, Faye was chosen to be a director on The Australian Pharmacy Council board. In 2022, this council started a new group. It is called The Leaders in Indigenous Pharmacy Profession Education (LIPPE) Network.

Awards and Recognition

Faye McMillan has received many awards for her amazing work.

• In 2014, she was named one of the 100 Women of Influence by Westpac and Australian Financial Review.
• She was named the 2019 New South Wales Aboriginal Woman of the Year.
• In 2021, she received the Member of the Order of Australia (AM). This award was for her "significant service to Indigenous mental health, and to tertiary education."
• In 2022, she was named Pharmacist of the Year at the PSA’s Excellence Awards New beginnings for PSA's Pharmacist of the Year.
• In 2023, she became a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia PSA23 Honors Newly Inducted Fellows.
• Also in 2023, she won the Alumni Award for Professional Excellence from the University of Wollongong Winners – University of Wollongong – UOW.

Selected Publications

Faye McMillan has written many articles and chapters in books. These publications share her knowledge and research. They often focus on Indigenous health and leadership.

• F McMillan, D Kampers, V Traynor, J Dewing; (2010) Person-centred care as caring for country: An indigenous Australia Experience; Dementia, 9 , (2): 163-167.Person-centred care as caring for country: An Indigenous Australian experience
• C. Schultz, R. Walker, D. Bessarab, F. McMillan, J. MacLeod, R. Marriott (2014) Chapter 13: Interdisciplinary Care to Enhance Mental Health and Social Emotional Wellbeing.[1]
• Y. Akama, D. Evans, S. Keen, F. McMillan, M McMillan, P. West; (2017) Designing digital and creative scaffolds to strengthen Indigenous nations: being Wiradjuri by practising sovereignty; Digital Creativity, 28 , (1): 58-72.Designing digital and creative scaffolds to strengthen Indigenous nations: being Wiradjuri by practising sovereignty
• M. McMillan, F. McMillan, S. Rigney; (2016) Is indigenous National Building capable of strengthening and improving Indigenous holistic health outcomes: Retelling the right to health 10 , (2): 147-159.Is Indigenous Nation Building capable of strengthening and improving Indigenous holistic health outcomes: Retelling the Right to Health