Celebrating 2022 International Allied Health Professions Day with IAHA Member Whitney Hunt, Clinical Exercise Physiologist

Hi my name is Whitney Hunt, I am a Kamilaroi, Barkindji, Ballardong and Whadjuk woman working as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist. The role I currently work in is with mob living with Chronic conditions ranging from Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes and Pulmonary disease (to name a few). I also work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander mums or mums carrying babies that are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent during pregnancy and post-natal through our program. And lastly, I work with paeds, helping with their development and working with their goals in strength, coordination, and prevention of chronic disease.

I was in my final years of high school (yr 11), my mum was studying her Bachelor of Applied Health Science (Indigenous Primary Health Care/ Indigenous Health) and my dad was studying a Master of Philosophy in Human Movements, his supervisor asked if I wanted to take a tour of the Human movements building (which I had the privilege to do). I already had a love for sport and exercise, having the tour opportunity just showed how I could make a career of it especially when they mentioned that one of the lecturers was working with Brisbane lions’ team (huge supporter). Although then Exercise Physiology wasn’t what it is now, I am grateful for the years I had done at university and working with Exercise Physiologists to keep with the motivation of working in the area. Being a part of individuals’ journey and seeing the benefits of exercise helping our mob to maintain their health and wellbeing, made me realise that exercise is medicine for our bodies and that it is what we need to survive.

Allied health professionals’ day is a day to celebrate the ongoing support and approaches to best practices allied health professionals go to ensure that people are getting the highest quality care. And the ongoing support allied health professionals do to keep individuals remaining as independent and self-determined with their own health outcomes.

If you are looking at a career in Allied Health and unsure of what path to do. See if there are Allied Health Traineeships in your area, or if you can ask the local AMS if they have allied health there so you can have exposure to what they do. You just never know what is out there or what you can be.