Meet Fleur: our 2026 Boots to Scrubs scholarship winner

Fleur Steen grew up in rural Queensland. She lived in Goondiwindi, the Lockyer Valley, and Highfields near Toowoomba. From a young age, she saw what it means to live far from specialist care. 

Now Fleur studies medicine at the University of New England in Armidale. She has just been named the 2026 Boots to Scrubs scholarship winner — a national award for rural women in medicine.

About Boots to Scrubs

Boots to Scrubs is an independent organisation founded by two medical students, Chloe Campbell and Georgia Goodhew. Both grew up in rural areas and experienced firsthand the lack of support and information available to women wanting to pursue medicine. 

Their mission is to inspire, empower, and support rural women to become doctors. Through scholarships, mentorship, and education programs, they aim to help address Australia's rural doctor shortage.

The scholarship includes a cash prize, a clothing allowance, and a year-long mentor who is a female doctor in rural medicine. 

Avant is proud to be a major sponsor.

A community spirit

Fleur has always given back. She sat on the Toowoomba Regional Youth Council. She volunteered across many organisations. She even spoke at parliament on issues facing rural Queenslanders. 

That spirit shapes her studies too. 

"Because of the support I received growing up, I have always felt strongly motivated to give
back," Fleur said.

At UNE, she researches diseases that affect rural communities. She also helps run the AMSA Rural Health Summit. This annual event promotes rural medicine as a career path for students around Australia.

Why medicine? Why rural?

Fleur chose medicine for what it brings together: science, critical thinking, and the chance to make a real difference. Her time in rural Queensland gave that purpose a clear focus. 

"Through hospital work experience, I saw firsthand the impact healthcare professionals can have at the most difficult moments in a person's life," she said. 

Her area of interest is rural generalist medicine. This combines general practice with emergency care. It suits communities where one doctor must be ready for anything. 

What she hopes to change

Fleur wants more investment in rural healthcare. She wants better training pathways, more hospital funding, and greater support for students from regional areas. 

"Students from rural areas can face extra challenges. They often lack the same access to opportunities and support networks as students in the city," she said. 

She believes more scholarships and mentoring would help. Students from rural backgrounds are more likely to return and work in those same communities later in their careers. 

What the scholarship means

For Fleur, this scholarship is both a financial relief and a personal boost. Studying medicine in a regional area has real costs. Many students must move away from family and support networks. 

"This scholarship will help ease some of that burden," she said. "It will let me focus more on my studies and on rural health initiatives." She also sees it as a sign she is on the right path. 

"Beyond the financial support, receiving this scholarship reinforces my commitment to rural and regional communities."

Supporting medical students

Avant supports students throughout their medical training. We offer resources on career planning, medico-legal essentials, and how to prepare for internship. Supporting programs like Boots to Scrubs is part of our commitment to doctors — from day one.

Congratulations, Fleur. We are proud to support your journey.

Find out more about Avant's support for medical students at avant.org.au/medical-students