Nunga (hello). I am Mikayla Hudson.

I am a proud Adnyamathanha, Arabana, Ngarrindjeri, Narungga, and Wangkangurru woman from regional South Australia. I respectfully acknowledge and pay tribute to the Elders who have carved the pathways that allow my footsteps to follow. I thank them for their enduring custodianship, wisdom, and strength.

I also acknowledge the Larrakia people, the Traditional Custodians of Garramilla (Darwin), where I currently live, work, and play. As a visitor to their Country, I extend my deepest respect and gratitude for their ongoing leadership, custodianship, and guidance as I continue to build a home away from home.

I have been a graduate member of IAHA since 2018. Over the years, I’ve remained actively engaged, attending conferences and AGMs, mentoring participants in the Ultimate Student Leadership Challenge, and most recently, graduating from the 2023 IAHA Leadership Program. Over the years, I have had the great privilege of being apart of IAHA as a student, to a clinician, and a lifelong learner.

I hold a Bachelor of Psychological Science and a Master of Occupational Therapy. Currently, I work in a dual capacity as a clinical Occupational Therapist and Program Lead for the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) at Danila Dilba Health Service.

My career spans clinical and non-clinical roles across government, private, and non-government sectors, and now within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. These diverse experiences have shaped my understanding of the health system and strengthened my commitment to culturally safe and responsive care. Despite my experience within the health sector, I have to credit the IAHA Leadership Program which solidified my understanding of my cultural identity within the workplace, and how to use my Aboriginality for professional growth and leadership. 

I am deeply passionate about aged care, particularly aged care services for mob. I am committed to delivering culturally safe clinical care to our Elders, while also supporting and growing our workforce. I believe in creating innovative opportunities that reflect our communities’ strengths and aspirations.

IAHA’s vision that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and future generations are healthy, strong, thriving, and self-determined resonates deeply with me. It reflects the very foundation of why I chose this career path and continue to work in this space. My passion for aged care, cultural safety, and workforce development is rooted in the belief that our communities deserve services that are not only clinically appropriate but also culturally safe and responsive. I see IAHA as a powerful platform to amplify these values, and I am committed to contributing to this vision through advocacy, leadership, and collaboration.

As a nominee for the Board, I bring my cultural knowledge, industry experience, and unwavering passion for mob to contribute meaningfully to IAHA’s mission. I am excited about the opportunity to walk alongside others who share this vision and to help shape a future where our people continue to thrive.

Thank you for considering my nomination.