Dr Allison Hempenstall was first introduced to life on Thursday Island and the Torres Strait during a rotation as a junior doctor. This experience fuelled her interest in remote health and before long she was 'hooked'! Allison returned to the island as a rural generalist, spending a number of years working one-on-one with patients before turning her focus to the health of entire communities as the Public Health Medical Officer for the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service. Allison talks to the Senate about her work on the island, her new long-term focus on the health of remote communities, and her passion for research, particularly studying infectious diseases, and why she involves First Nations people in every step of the process.