Dr Mackean is a descendent of the Waljen clan of the Wongai Peoples of the Goldfields region in Western Australia . She graduated from University of NSW in 1999 with Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and was joint winner with Dr Kelvin Kong of the Alumni Award for Achievement.

Following varied clinical experience in obstetrics, psychiatry, ophthalmology and general practice Dr Mackean became involved in medical education and worked as a Senior Lecturer at Flinders University SA for some five years. During her tenure she was awarded a Staff Award for Outstanding Contribution to the University as well as being recognised nationally and receiving the inaugural LIMElight Award for Leading Innovation in Cultural and Organisational Change in 2007

Dr Mackean is currently a Senior Research Fellow with the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health at the University of WA . She is presently a trainee with the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Dr Mackean is also the current President for the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association and works with governments, organisation, communities and individuals to bring about positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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