The Water Well Project and Improving Health Literacy with Dr Linny Kimly Phuong

 In S 5 E 6 I am delighted to introduce Dr Linny Kimly Phuong.  Dr Phuong is  Founder & Director of The Water Well Project. She is a Paediatric Infectious Diseases Physician at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Austin Health, Cabrini Health and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. She is also a PhD candidate studying invasive pneumococcal disease in children. Prior to medicine, Linny was a qualified pharmacist and also holds a Master of Public Health. Linny has received recognition for her work with awards including the Australian Medical Association- Doctor in Training of the Year Award (2017), Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Champions’ Award- Leadership category (2016), Suncorp Hidden Local Heroes Finalist (2016) and Young Australian of the Year- Victorian State Finalist (2013).
     In this episode Linny tells me the story of  The Water Well Project from its grass root foundations to  award-winning charity that improves the health and wellbeing of communities from migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds by improving their health literacy.  The organisation's  core activity is the provision of free, interactive, community-based, health education sessions delivered by volunteer healthcare professionals across Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales. 
        The Water Well Project utilises a community-centric model by working closely with refugee and migrant support organisations. Sessions are delivered upon requests from community groups and co-designed alongside community partners. This means that sessions are tailored to the needs of each community group and delivered in a culturally safe manner. 
      In this conversation Linny relates her own story driving her purpose driven mission to improve health literacy, healthcare access and culturally safe care for migrants, refugees asylum seeker seekers. We hear her fascinating founder story, which is undoubtedly one of innovation and entrepreneurship combined with a for-purpose vision, and her journey, lessons and the serendipity that has contributed along the way to becoming an award winning not for profit organisation. Crucially if you are a health care professional looking for a rewarding skilled volunteering opportunity you can learn more about the work of their programs and how to get involved. You can support and donate to the project via their website linked below. 

Links and references:
Dr Phuong and The Water Well Project
https://www.linkedin.com/in/linny-kimly-phuong-76a9955a/
https://www.thewaterwellproject.org/about-the-project/

Related episode of the Mind Full Medic Podcast and work of Dr Raj Sundar
https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-mind-full-medic-podcast/id1513559414?i=1000600383923

The Mind Full Medic Podcast is proudly sponsored by the MBA NSW-ACT Find out more about the charitable organisation supporting doctors and their families and/ or donate today at www.mbansw.org.au

Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care professional. Moreover views expressed here are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or other official organisations.