Meet the Team

The Ubuntu Through Health team is comprised solely of Griffith University Medical students who join towards the end of their first year of study. These team members remain as active representatives of Ubuntu Through Health throughout their entire medical studies, with many members remaining active as Executive Directors after graduation.

Active members

Class of 2024

Annabelle Brennan

Annabelle was born in Sydney yet spent her childhood overseas living in Dubai and the USA. Living overseas sparked a passion for travel and learning about new cultures. Through her travels she has been exposed to a lot of inequity which has triggered her desire to pursue global health and one-day utilise her medical education to serve those who are not in as fortunate positions as herself. Outside of medicine she loves getting the paint brushes out and tapping into her inner Bob Ross or going on a good adventure and reconnecting with nature.

hamish henderson

Hamish spent his childhood growing up in Australia, Japan and Thailand and had the privilege of visiting a vast variety of countries from a young age. Seeing the apparent health disparities between different parts of the world at such a young age sowed the seeds to a passion in global health and medicine. In particular, his time volunteering in India during high school solidified his resolve to be involved in global health in the future. He is exhilarated by the opportunity to use what he learns at medical school to support and treat others that are less fortunate than himself, wherever they may be.

CLASS OF 2025

Jasmin somers

Jasmin has spent most of her life travelling to developing countries, whether through Asia, Africa or the Americas. These experiences have driven her to develop a passion for global health and work towards decreasing healthcare inequality worldwide. Through her involvement with refugee and human rights advocacy, work with indigenous communities and the writing of global health policy, her passion to close the health gap only continues to grow. Jasmin hopes to one day become a humanitarian aid worker to help communities internationally and improve healthcare access and services.

teodora andric

Teodora completed her Bachelor of Pharmacy from The University of Queensland prior to moving to the Gold Coast to commence her medical studies. She was fortunate enough to travel to a variety of countries in her upbringing which exposed her to a range of health care systems, community structures and standards of living. These experiences developed a passion to reduce health disparities in tangible ways. Through her research and volunteering activities, she became even more motivated by projects that follow the philosophy of small scale, large impact - something she is excited to continue with Ubuntu Through Health. Outside of studies, she enjoys hiking and reconnecting with friends.

alex makepeace

Alex was born in Germany but spent the majority of his early years travelling from country to country, namely around the United Kingdom, the United States, and finally in Australia. His interest in global health was cultivated by his travels, notably including a period of volunteering in Vanuatu, and his experiences of different health systems and health inequities. This culminated in his interest in a Master of Public Health, which was studied concurrently with the first year of his medical studies. He hopes to one day work within vulnerable communities and use his medical and public health training to make a positive difference to the people and health inequities present within.

emma siddle

Emma was lucky enough to travel to both Japan and Eastern Africa during high school. These trips sparked a love for learning about new cultures within her, but also opened her eyes to global health. These experiences cemented her dream of becoming a doctor. She hopes to use her education to assist in providing culturally appropriate, sustainable, and accessible health care to all. Joining Ubuntu, she wants to make a meaningful contribution in reducing health care disparities globally. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature; mostly through surfing but also camping (when the busy med school schedule allows).

Class of 2026

charles dollar

Charles’ interest in global health was ignited by a trip to the rural Fijian villages of Nasivikoso and Somosomo in high school. The experience opened his eyes to the stark health inequities that are experienced by populations all around the world. He is driven by the belief that healthcare should be accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic background or geographical location. After completing a Masters of Public Health, he aspires to contribute to empowering communities and making a positive impact on global population health through his involvement in Ubuntu, and medical career beyond. Outside of his studies, you’ll catch Charles watching, discussing and participating in all manner of live sports (especially rugby), as well as being continuously humbled by the Gold Coast’s world-class surf breaks.

leslie oldfield

Leslie completed her Bachelor of Arts in International Development and Masters in Medical Biophysics in Canada prior to relocating to the Gold Coast for Medical School. She was fortunate enough to travel to several countries and completed a fellowship in Nairobi, Kenya. Her academic background and diverse travel experiences ignited a strong committment to address global inequities in healthcare. On graduation, Leslie hopes to use her medical knowledge to improve access to medicine and health care services for vulnerable populations. Outside of medicine, you’ll find Leslie planning her next hiking trip, cozying up with a book and tea on the couch, or checking out a new brewery.

Emily pitt

Emily pursued medicine with hopes to work within a social justice and advocacy framework. This was ignited through ongoing volunteering at a local organisation which delivers healthcare to people experiencing social exclusion and homelessness. Here, Emily not only witnessed the impact of socioeconomic disadvantage on health but saw how healthcare professionals transform lives through advocacy. Emily’s passion for public health extended to a global scale through her travels to a variety of countries growing up and 6-month global exchange. Emily hopes to use her medical education and passion for advocacy to help bridge healthcare gaps within vulnerable populations and join collaborative efforts, like Ubuntu Through Health, to tackle healthcare inequities on a global scale.

Executive directors

Fiona Coombes: Class of 2022

rhys harris: class of 2020

sophie lassila: class of 2019

Alumni

• Tim Beckham (Class of 2013)

• Dave Hill (Class of 2013)

• Nick Tellam (Class of 2013)

• Claire Morrow (Class of 2013)

• Jonathan Quinn (Class of 2013)

• Tom Boosey (Class of 2013)

• Adam Brideaux (Class of 2014)

• Stuart Tremayne (Class of 2014)

• Warren Fayers (Class of 2015)

• Emma Cottle (Class of 2015)

• Beth Hamilton (Class of 2016)

• Jess Van Heuvel (Class of 2016)

• Stephanie French (Class of 2016)

• Daniel Lake (Class of 2017)

• Phoebe Brandis (Class of 2017)

• Daisy Swindon (Class of 2018)