More pages in this section
Stories
Rural experiences shape GP
One of the first doctors to graduate from JCU, Dr Aileen Traves was a trail blazer in the rurally focused medical school’s early years. “Moving to a newly established regional medical school from a capital city was the best decision ever for me,” the former Canberran says. “I
‘I love learning three new things every day’
RACGP’s 2022 Queensland GP Supervisor of the Year, Dr Luke Notley, is a Mackay GP who finds joy in teaching. Dr Notley has been a GP supervisor with JCU since the University began delivering the Australian General Practice Training Program in 2016, and worked as a part-time medical educator fo
Cutting edge in skin cancer training
James Cook University’s GP registrars and medical students are receiving gold standard education in skin cancer diagnosis and removal in a pilot program that recognises the crucial role of rural doctors in melanoma detection and treatment. Dr Jeremy Hudson, JCU Senior Lecturer in Skin Cancer M
Former nurse is Queensland’s GP in Training of the Year
RACGP’s 2022 Queensland GP in Training of the Year, Townsville’s Dr Laura MacDonald, is a former registered nurse who, with a little encouragement from her medical colleagues, decided to go back to the books and study medicine 11 years ago. Dr MacDonald graduated from James Cook Universi
All-rounder from outback to coast
When JCU GP Supervisor Dr Peta Cornwall and husband Nathan settled in Mackay with their three young children, it was a move to ‘the big smoke’. For the previous seven years, the dual ACRRM and RACGP Fellow had a solo practice in Alpha, a Central Queensland outback town in a shire of 1100
Community life enriches varied practice
Dr Craig Acton works across general practice, emergency medicine and obstetrics and gynaecology as a GP registrar in the southern Queensland rural town of St George. Moving between the local medical practice, St George Hospital and outreach services, each day is varied for the Townsville-born doctor
Educator role inspires rural generalist
Growing up on a sheep and cattle property near Hughenden, GP Medical Educator Dr Rachelle McNamara wanted to be a teacher. But an inspiring rural placement with Cloncurry general practitioner Dr Bryan Connor as a first-year James Cook University medical student reaffirmed the choice she ultimately m
Growing as a rural generalist obstetrician
Rural generalist obstetrician Dr Riley Savage is the medical lead for the Weipa Birthing Project, which will allow women in western Cape York Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to give birth closer to home. The Weipa Birthing Unit is set to open soon, with capital works due to be comp
Single-practice model delivers in the west
Things came full circle for GP supervisors Dr Clare and Dr David Walker this year when JCU graduates Dr Tom Currie and Dr Samantha Campbell returned to Longreach as rural generalist trainees. “It's the first time in our careers that we’ve mentored students who became junior doctors who h
Come for the training, stay for the lifestyle
With a broad scope of practice and unique and diverse cases, you’ll never be bored as a GP in regional and rural Queensland. But that certainly doesn’t mean it’s all work and no play. Our training region is classified as North Western Queensland, an adventurer’s playground o
Rural generalists ‘with, in and for’ their communities
From medical students to mentors leading primary health care in the small outback community of Barcaldine, rural generalist doctors Priscilla and Welwyn Aw-Yong exemplify the intent of JCU’s integrated training pathway. The pathway begins with the undergraduate medical degree and continues int
Rural doctors anchor communities
Rural generalist training has brought Dr Matthew Riggs back to his home region. Dr Riggs, a 2019 JCU graduate, is doing his advanced skill in anaesthetics at Hervey Bay Hospital, not far from where he grew up in Wallaville and Bundaberg. Drawn to the diversity of rural generalism, Dr Riggs did rotat
Trouble in paradise: Cooktown’s healthcare workforce crisis
Cooktown, in Queensland’s Far North, has plenty going for it. This coastal community offers outback charm, friendly locals, an abundance of fishing hotspots, and the Great Barrier Reef and world-heritage rainforest right on its doorstep. By all accounts, it’s a tropical paradise and a gr
Building relationships for better health
Dr Matthew Durden is no stranger to rural medicine, but his 12-month training rotation at an Aboriginal Medical Service in Yarrabah was a whole new and defining experience. Since graduating from JCU in 2016, Dr Durden has worked in hospital and primary care settings in Cairns, Thursday Island (Waibe
How GP training in a rural setting makes you a better doctor
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academic Practice Adult Internal Medicine Anaesthetics Emergency Medicine
Cape York ENT crew builds a pathway
Treating patients across 14 remote Cape York Peninsula communities, JCU GP registrar Dr Steve Johnston and his team have seen the impact their fledgling service can have on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with ear disease. From facilitating urgent surgical intervention in
Inspiration to break glass ceiling
Creativity infuses all aspects of life for Aboriginal GP Registrar Dr Kathryn Dalmer. An accomplished artist and a mother of three girls, this Wiradjuri woman has learnt to be inventive in addressing challenges as a medical student in her 40s and now a JCU GP in training in Cooroy on the Sunshine Co
Open to adventure
A temporary primary school teaching job was the launching pad for Dr Ineka Booth’s rural generalist career in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Palm Island (Bwgcolman). Dr Booth was training as an emergency registrar at The Tweed Hospital when her partner, Adrian, got the
JCU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Training Forum 2022
A future-focused forum in its fifth year will help shape current and new initiatives to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in North West Queensland. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Training Forum is facilitated by James Cook University’s
Be there for Barcaldine: Drs Priscilla and Welwyn Aw-Yong
Be there for the community, be there for the teamwork, be there for Barcaldine. It won’t take long for you to feel right at home in Barcaldine. This small central-west Queensland town is bustling with community groups and friendly locals who welcome newcomers with open arms and chip in when so
An ‘accidental love’ and a much-needed boost to Outback health care
The bustling Mount Isa Medical Centre plays a crucial role in providing primary care to the outback communities in and around Mount Isa. The largest of the town's GP clinics, the centre has over 9,000 active patients, with some travelling up to 300km to receive care. At the helm is the Practice Mana
Be there for Mundubbera and Monto: Dr Htoo Aung
Be there for professional and personal growth, be there for the doctor-patient relationships. Be there for rural Queensland towns like Mundubbera and Monto. There’s more than meets the eye to the Queensland central-west town of Mundubbera. What might seem like your ordinary rural town is burst
Be there for Emerald: Dr Natalia Anderson
Be there for the opportunities, be there for the locals. Be there for rural Queensland towns like Emerald. Emerald, the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Queensland’s central-west. For decades, many have flocked to the outback region in search of precious gems. Now, there’s a new oppor
Be There for Cloncurry: Dr Emma Gillmore
Be there for the scope of practice, be there for the continuity of care, be there for Queensland towns like Cloncurry. The small northwest town of Cloncurry stretches just a few kilometres along the Barkly Highway, an hour and a half out from Mount Isa. But don’t let its size fool you. Cloncur
Be There for Rural Queensland
Dotted right across Northern Queensland are rural towns with a lot to offer. Communities of friendly locals who always have time to stop for a chat, who rally around one another when someone needs a hand. Enterprising businesses, dedicated volunteering initiatives, and vibrant social scenes. In earl
Message from the Director of JCU GP training
It’s been a strong start to 2022 as we welcomed new doctors-in-training and began the training year anew, backed by the societal hope that the worst scenarios and restrictions of COVID-19 are behind us. Despite global events, we are part of a national community who rally behind family, friends
Adventures of a Defence GP
Dr Kaledas Flintoff spent three months in the United States providing medical support for 1st Aviation’s (1AVN) Tiger attack helicopter crews on Exercise Griffin Eagle in his final year as a JCU GP registrar. Based at China Lake in California and Yuma in Arizona, Dr Flintoff was part of a team
Purpose from grief
Dr Luke McIntosh’s path to general practice started as a first-year medical student grieving the loss of his mum, Leanne, to breast cancer. Throughout the illness, it was a supportive GP in their Geelong hometown who made all the difference to Mrs McIntosh and her family in the last years of h
JCU delivers vital boost to rural GP workforce
JCU GP Training welcomes 87 new registrars to the program this week to help address the critical shortage of general practitioners in Queensland’s regional, rural and remote communities. Through Rural Training Enhancement initiatives, JCU has prioritised new placements to fill GP shortages in
New beginnings in the Far North
If you want to know what regional GP training opportunities mean for rural and remote communities, just look to Weipa. This small mining town in Far North Queensland has an expanding dialysis unit, a new Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) outreach program, and very soon will have a dedicated maternity servi
Training for where GPs are needed the most
For James Cook University GP lead medical educator in Townsville Dr Ruth Eagles, training the next generation of doctors for rural and regional communities throughout Australia is a top priority. “I really connect with the vision of training GPs to work in areas where they’re needed the
A training practice
A firm believer in the hands-on approach to teaching JCU GP registrars, Gympie’s Dr John Manton took up an opportunity almost 10 years ago to build a new clinic that could incorporate a specially designed training facility for registrars. “Often, the standard GP clinic is just a converte
Rural generalist dream
Michael Pitt was a 30-year-old dad managing a cattle property near Springsure in Central Queensland when the rural generalist path captured his interest. “My whole reason for getting into medicine was to be a rural generalist,” Dr Pitt says. “I had heard about it on the radio befor
Finding the right skills and the right home in Emerald
For Dr Nichole (Nikki) Harch, growing up in the central Queensland town of Biloela would have a profound impact on her future direction as a JCU GP trained Rural Generalist. Now based in the Central Queensland regional town of Emerald and working as an ACCRM fellowed doctor in the combined role
GP Registrars: the lifeblood of rural practice
For almost 100 years, the medical practice in south-west Queensland town of St George has been serving the community and the surrounding region of up to 250km. Business Manager Alex and GP and supervisor Dr Karen Benn have run the practice since 2014. It was a change of direction for the couple, wi
Home is where the need is for rural GP
The further Dr Bronte Donaldson has progressed through her medical training with JCU and the GP training program, the more determined she has become to return to her hometown of Mount Isa. “I loved Mount Isa, but I didn’t go into medicine thinking I would go back there,” Dr Donald
Retrieval medicine a passion for Rural Generalist registrar
Hailing from the small rural town of Rollingstone just north of Townsville, JCU medicine graduate Brodie Norton is a great example of the diverse and specialist knowledge and skills that JCU GP Training’s Rural Generalist trainees bring to their communities. Currently in his sixth post-gradua
Remote area nurse follows GP path
Dr Jay Short’s 13-year career as a remote area nurse took him to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities from Cape York to The Kimberley. Now doing his GP training on Magnetic Island, Dr Short wants to use his experience to advocate for underserved communities. “Medicine was a
An opportunity to practise at the top of their scope
For Rural Generalist doctors Chris and Kirsty Symmons, Longreach has provided a great environment in which to complete their JCU GP Training and stay for the long term. “We said we would give it two years to start with, but it’s been such a great place to finish off our registrar trainin
Training ‘with, in and for’ underserved communities
James Cook University’s GP training program supports registrars to live, learn and work alongside inspirational educators, supervisors and mentors in diverse regional, rural and remote locations across Queensland. On Thursday Island (Waiben), JCU GP Training has a team of five registrars and 1
Breaking the cycle of opioid prescription in rural Queensland
The prescription of opioids is a contentious issue for many general practitioners when in consultation with their patients. Current clinical practice of opioid prescription, particularly in rural areas, is at odds with clinical evidence. Overdoses from prescribed opioids are at record levels in Aust
Achieving excellence in GP healthcare by being a ‘privileged listener’
Bundaberg based GP and James Cook University GP Training Senior Fellow, Dr Denise Powell, says her 40+ year working life can best be described as fulfilling the role of a ‘privileged listener’. “As I reflect back on my years as a community-based GP, I have come to see my role more
Get to know Associate Professor Harold Jacobs
A love for science and a drive to make a difference prompted Dr Harold Jacobs to pursue a regionally focussed career in medicine which led him down the path of GP, Medical Educator, and the lead role at James Cook University’s Rural Clinical School. The Associate Professor answers questions ab
How an unexpected detour to Mount Isa became an added bonus
For Dr Anna Cunningham, choosing the rural training pathway has offered her many diverse opportunities to practice GP medicine and experience the diverse lifestyle of regional Australia. Having completed her medical degree in Sydney and many of her placements in regional NSW as well as in Kakadu, An
A special breed: The multi-faceted GP training experience at Mount Isa
Growing up on a rural cattle property, JCU GP medical educator Dr Don Bowley saw first-hand the need for medical care in remote and regional communities and a desire to work in country medicine was sparked. “I find the people in remote communities to be extremely welcoming. They are strong com
Made to measure: personalised training on offer at Cooktown
For GP and James Cook University GP Supervisor at Cooktown Medical Centre, Dr Des Hill, the lure of tropical Far North Queensland has proved too strong to ever want to leave. Growing up in FNQ’s Tablelands district, Dr Hill soon returned to the area after completing his medical degree in Brisb
General practice in the outback
The Queensland outback has been a place to grow for Dr Rachael Yin Foo, a dual RACGP-ACRRM registrar. As Winton’s only permanent doctor, Dr Yin Foo divides her time between general practice and her role as provisional Senior Medical Officer, running the local hospital. "I love my job. I love t
Lifestyle medicine inspires 2021 RACGP Qld GP of the Year
Maleny-based Medical Educator Dr Sam Manger mentors JCU GP doctors in training, hosts a podcast for health professionals and is an advocate of lifestyle medicine as a powerful way to improve mental health. The RACGP Queensland GP of the Year for 2021 and Equally Well ambassador talks about his passi
Much more than education
Rockhampton GP Dr Joan Chamberlain knows a thing or two about being a regional doctor and a supervisor, having overseen hundreds of budding GPs in central Queensland during a career spanning more than three decades. It’s a role she has always relished and one she encourages all she trains to t
Q&A with Dr Cindi Jackson
Cindi Jackson is a Medical Educator for the James Cook University GP Training program and shares her love of Wide Bay’s rural landscape and how rural medicine can be whatever you want it to be. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Mt Tyson, a small town west of Toowoomba, where my class through
Finding a calling as a regional GP
For Dr Ed Stark, getting good grades in high school meant you were destined for a career in medicine, and so he was channelled into the profession. Now, this 'accidental doctor' has become one very intentional general practitioner. He has dedicated the last twenty years of his life to improving the
74 reasons for an intern to choose the Whitsunday Island Region
Originally hailing from Brisbane, JCU GP Supervisor and Senior Medical Officer Dr Shaun Grimes made the move north after following the path to be a rural generalist GP. For 22 years, Dr Grimes has called the small town of Proserpine, situated in the Whitsunday Islands region of North Queensla
Going all-in on life as a rural GP
Some people get a taste for country living and want another bite. After just one week holidaying in the beautiful Atherton Tablelands, GP Dr Catriona Arnold-Nott came straight back for the full meal. In a recent interview, she shares how satisfying and enriching the life of a rural GP can be…
Meet Dr Rashida Malek
Where are you from or where did you grow up? I was born in India to a Paediatrician father and a housewife mum. I grew up and studied in a small town until grade 12, after which I went to a city to study medicine. After completing my medical degree in 1994, I received a postgraduate degree in Obstet
Meet Carol Kahn, Head of Operations
Where are you from or where did you grow up? I was born in Portland, Oregon and moved to Townsville from Park City, Utah, a ski town in the Rocky Mountains. I have been in Australia since 2009 and have been a dual citizen of the US and Australia. I don’t plan to return to the US exc
Meet Dr Bryan Connor
Meet JCU GP Training Medical Educator Bryan Connor. Bryan grew up and completed his primary degree in Johannesburg, but some of his best memories were made helping out on his uncle’s farm in Zululand during the school holidays. What made you want to become a doctor? My Mum was a Radiographer a
The joy of mentoring
Dr Michael Clements is the owner and principal of three successful medical practices around the Townsville region, including one on Magnetic Island. He also conducts clinics across the remote western Queensland and the Cape York region. A former RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) doctor, he was respo
JCU Update to transition to College-led training May 2021
By now you would have heard, at least informally, of the proposed changes to AGPT and the transition to College led training. Since Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt’s announcement in 2017 for the transition of the Australian General Practice Training program to the specialist GP Trainin
Celebrating success: From the Torres Strait to the hallowed halls of Harvard
JCU trained GP, Dr Allison Hempenstall completed most of her training as a rural generalist on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, managing the complex health needs of communities and pursuing research into tropical diseases. While on the remote island off the north Queensland coast, Dr Hempenstal
Life and medicine in the Burdekin
Fishing, family, cane fires and fast-paced clinical work: that’s what Dr Ben Lawry calls paradise. Dr Lawry is the medical superintendent at the Ayr Hospital and JCU GP supervisor. He made the decision to set down roots in the Burdekin early in his career. He knew deep down rural medicine
Skilling rural doctors
Dr Bruce Chater took on his first registrar in his Theodore practice in 1994. He’s had a steady stream ever since as he has continued to build his practice in central Queensland. It’s a role he believes is crucial in ensuring a skilled medical workforce for rural, regional and remote co
Teaching tomorrow’s GPs today
For JCU Medical Educator, Dr Steve Salleras, the golden rule as a GP is to always keep the patient at the centre of what you do. And it’s a message he emphasises to the registrars he teaches. “Medicine is about the patient and our role is to be the tool for the patient to optimise their
Bringing ENT to the Cape
GP registrar and rural generalist, Dr Steve Johnston has come through James Cook University medical training from undergraduate to postgraduate and is a strong advocate for rural and remote medicine. Now based in Weipa in Cape York, with skills in anaesthetics and ear nose and throat medicine, he is
Love and lifestyle on the Tablelands
For Dr Gene Walker the pull to work in the Tablelands wasn’t just about the training experience, but a chance meeting with his future wife. A city boy with a heart for rural, Dr Walker grew up in Brisbane and began his medical training in the Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay and Gympie. He said he m
A survival guide for #MumLife
Dr Liz Martin is a Cairns-based doctor, JCU GP supervisor, wife and mum to three boys. She is passionate about Women’s Health and an advocate for improving paid maternity and carer’s leave for women. This Women’s Health Week Dr Martin offers some advice for Mums grappling with the
Giving back to the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors
For GP Danielle Carter, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students and GP registrars is a way to give back to her community. Dr Carter Fellowed with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) through the JCU GP training program while working as a docto
Knowing when you’re in the right place
For Dr Carmon Guy, sharing her time between the local GP clinic and the hospital in the far north Queensland town of Cooktown provides not only a diversity of medical experiences but also an exceptional continuity of patient care with some bonuses thrown in the mix. “The medicine is really int
Having it all
For Doctors Laura and Michael Pfeffer, the decision to train as rural GPs was one of the easiest they’ve made. The Roma based couple, who are completing their GP training through JCU, fell in love with both rural medicine and the rural lifestyle during a year-long placement in Stanthorpe. They
Finding the right work-life balance
Sometimes career choices can be unexpected, yet surprisingly offer many hidden benefits. Such has been the experience of Dr Emma Gillmore, who recently changed track from a city based hospital role to rural GP training based in Cloncurry, located in the heart of Queensland’s north west region.
Emergency medicine a bonus for outback GP
For Dr Rachael Yin Foo, the Queensland outback town of Winton offers a fantastic opportunity not only to undertake GP training but also, to build further skills in emergency medicine. “One of the biggest benefits of working in Winton is its’ remoteness. It means I get to use my emergency
Diversity and fellowship
For Dr Kate Bialy diversity is the key to a rewarding, life-long career. “I don’t think there’s any other fellowship like rural medicine that can provide for such diversity, with all the potential speciality avenues that you can go down. There are so many different shapes and sizes
COVID-19 Education and Training FAQs
Chief Medical Officer coronavirus update
Finding home in the Far North
As a new graduate Dr Ayesha Sheikh found it was easy to become a little overwhelmed in the hospital system, regularly changing teams, working long hours and juggling a personal life. Having already spent time in far north Queensland as a medical student, she decided a move north to train as a GP thr
Family time in the bush - just what the doctor ordered
From a bustling Emergency Department in an Adelaide Hospital to the challenges of rural General Practice, Dr Vijay Akkineni has been pleasantly surprised with what he has found in central western Queensland. After 10 years working in Acute Emergency Medicine in South Australia, the now JCU GP regist
Doctor at home in the Daintree
Rainforest walks, vintage caravanning and country general practice are the perfect combination of experiences to fill the days of GP registrar Dr Grace Neely. Now a provisional Senior Medical Officer at Atherton Hospital, Dr Neely said her pathway to training with James Cook University (JCU) on the
City to country – a dream come true
Dr Geraldo Guimaraes thought he had his career mapped out when he moved from Italy to Melbourne to study ‘hard-core’ science… but little did he know the twists and turns ahead that would lead him to become a rural GP. While studying his Masters in science, his best friend, who wen
Building family and birthing babies in Biloela
As a patient, do you ever reflect on your medical treatment and appreciate all the times you’ve seen the same doctor? Whether it be for a prescription, serious illness or injury or even the birth of your child. Your doctor becomes an important part of your health journey and your family life.
Meeting the needs of rural communities: from student to specialist
For most Babinda is known for little more than being Australia’s wettest town. But for Dr Manik Kumaranayake the far north Queensland town has proved a challenging, stimulating and satisfying part of her intern year. “No two days are the same, they’re very unpredictable. I have GP
A true sea change
For Natalie Fonda, one of the hardest parts of being a paramedic was having to hand over her patients. “I loved emergency medicine, but I didn’t enjoy having no continuity of care” Dr Fonda said. “I had the privilege of building a relationship with my patients, being in their
Lifesaving skills for the bush
Imagine this scenario… You’re living in remote western Queensland. Your young son has an accident causing extensive burns to his upper body, face and throat. He’s in critical need of medical attention. You are thousands of kilometres away from the nearest city burns unit….
JCU doctor supporting Emerald in the GP drought
After witnessing his family struggle to get access to doctors and healthcare services living in rural areas, Dr David Molhoek decided that he was going to be a part of the solution. “My childhood was very much a city childhood but I did have that exposure to rural Australia,” he said. &l
A powerful force in Indigenous health
For Townsville GP Jacinta Power, seeing women through their pregnancies, the birth of their babies and watching their children grow never grows old. “I really love women's health. I think that's what keeps me going. I get to see the pregnant women, the new babies and then the children. It&rsqu
Doctor on a Mission
From Mount Isa to Cape York and the Tablelands, Dr Aaron Hollins is on a mission to bring quality doctors to rural areas. Dr Hollins is the Lead Medical Educator for James Cook University’s (JCU) General Practice (GP) training regions in the Tablelands and Cape and Torres Strait, with a passio
Cultural stepping stones to improved care
Heather Lee became a cultural mentor for James Cook University (JCU) because she wants to invest in the future health of her family and her people. “I have four children and 13 grandchildren. I want to make sure that my babies have the best opportunity in the health system that they can possib
Closing the gap by opening the door to cultural understanding
It is vital to explore the past, in order to secure better health outcomes in the future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, according to James Cook University (JCU) cultural educator, Henry Neill. General Practitioners (GP) must learn to appreciate the impact of history on health
Sexual health in the sunshine
Specialising in sexual health in regional and rural communities was always on the cards for Canadian doctor, Ian Anderson. His journey to become a General Practitioner (GP) started while working in the public health sector in Vancouver. “I had the chance to interact with the stakeholders
Living the dream and making a difference in Cooktown
When Dr Ebonney van der Meer set her sights on moving to Cooktown she went with a mission in mind – to make a difference in the community. The James Cook University (JCU) General Practice (GP) registrar was no stranger to the Cape York town, after falling in love with its vibrant lifestyle and
Developing Rural Medicine
Burdekin based doctor Michael McLaughlin was a medical student at James Cook University when he discovered a love of working in rural and remote communities. Growing up in central Queensland he’d always been attached to the regions, but it was his rural placements in Cooktown, Innisfail and
Roma artist helps enhance healthcare opportunities
Representatives from James Cook University's (JCU’s) GP Training Program joined the Minister for Rural Health, Bridget McKenzie in Roma (earlier this month/last month) for the local launch of the program’s web page, and to unveil featured artwork from local artist, Michael McGuane.
Leading by example
Award-winning General Practitioners (GP), Dr Jack Maguire and Dr Denise Powell, divide their time between caring for patients and fostering a new cohort of high-calibre country GPs to eventually take their place. Both doctors are Senior Fellows in James Cook University’s (JCU) GP training prog
Turning the tide on islander health concerns
For Dr Allison Hempenstall, Thursday Island is a gateway to opportunity. The first-year General Practice (GP) registrar is relishing the challenge of managing the complex health needs of Torres Strait Islander communities, while pursuing research into tropical diseases. “We know that health ou
Cairns Medical Educator Passionate about Patient Care after beating Cancer in adolescences
Since Dr Alexandra Te-Loo was a child, she had a passion for helping people. It’s not a surprise that earlier this year, Dr Te-Loo, jumped at the chance to become a James Cook University (JCU), medical educator. “I’ve wanted to be a medical educator for a while now. Earlier this ye
Make a difference in PNG
You’ve done the Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine degree at JCU - now how can you apply what you have learnt? Two JCU alumni doctors - Dr Merrilee Frankish and Dr Matt Kelly found Australian Doctors International (ADI) the answer. ADI is an Australian charity that works to strength
Healing words
Jacki Mein’s determination to improve health literacy began the day, as a young doctor in Darwin, she discovered an Aboriginal patient’s prescribed tablets, abandoned and scattered outside the entrance to her clinic. “The fact that they left their tablets outside the door said to m
Continuity of care is king for JCU GP Registrar
James Cook University (JCU) Medicine graduate, GP Registrar and Rural Generalist Trainee Dr Josephine Pearson knows the importance of continuity of care in rural communities. She said rural doctors have the unique opportunity to provide their patients with care from the beginning to end, something w
Rural medicine brings big opportunities
For Dr Alan Richardson, a career in rural medicine was not what he had expected and far from what he had heard about it. He said rural medicine opened many doors early in his career. “There is no way I would have been given the opportunity to take on the role of Director of Medical Services, f
Remote work – wider horizons
As a city girl from Logan, near Brisbane, third-year medical student Sonya Manwaring did not quite know what to expect when she ventured to the south-west Queensland town of Charleville for her rural rotation. “I had never spent more than a few days in a town that small,” she recalled. &
JCU GP registrars contribute to bringing permanent doctors to rural community
Barcaldine’s permanent doctor workforce has jumped from three to five thanks to James Cook University (JCU) GP registrars Dr Welwyn and Dr Priscilla Aw-Yong. The local community were grateful when they found out the husband and wife team were permanent staff and not locums. “For the peop
Reaping benefits as a rural GP
James Cook University medicine graduate, Dr Bryce Nicol, has just been appointed Director of Medical Services at Winton Hospital – at the ripe old age of 28. “Having only just finished my years as a registrar and awaiting fellowship, this is an opportunity that would never have come my w
Those who save lives, remember those who sacrificed their own
James Cook Univeristy's GP Registrar Liaison Officer, Dr Hannah Newell Kraus, and second-year registrar, Dr Kris Mcquaid, have a special tie to Anzac Day. Both work at the Maleny Soldiers Memorial Hospital, one of only two such hospitals still operating in Queensland. Opened in 1920, the Maleny Sold
From soldier to doctor
Dr Bob Worswick is no stranger to working under pressure. As a long-serving member of the Australian Army, his 30 years of experience is proving useful as he embarks on his next undertaking – becoming a general practitioner (GP). Dr Worswick has served in some of the world’s most treache
Docs in Frocks unite north Queensland
If juggling a busy work life and family wasn’t enough, General Practice (GP) registrar Dr Emma Rossato is on a mission to unite the female doctors of north Queensland. Dr Rossato is the founder of the group Docs in Frocks that provides support and networking opportunities to its members. She s
JCU Senior Lecturer named Townsville’s top citizen
Congratulations to our very own Dr Jack Maguire who was named Townsville’s 2018 Citizen of the Year in last week’s local Australia Day honours. The award recognises more than three decades of service to the community’s healthcare sector, in particular his staunch advocacy for the e
Medical Educator’s mission to help Bundaberg
James Cook University’s (JCU) newest GP Medical Educator is on a mission to train quality doctors for Bundaberg. Dr Amanda Kasper said, the community needs an injection of young GPs. “We need to have young people who are trained in Bundy, who know the locals, know the community and want
JCU registrar treating patients with Parkinson’s
A life changing accident set Dr Kris McQuaid on the path to become a rural General Practitioner. Dr McQuaid is a General Practice registrar, with James Cook University’s (JCU) General Practice Training program. He said as a medical student he was originally drawn to plastic and reconstructive
GP training on a tropical island – a registrar shares his story
Thursday Island - the place to be, according to GP registrar Dr Marlow Coates, who has become a ‘Jack of All Trades’ thanks to his placement. Dr Coates moved to the Island this year as part of his GP training with James Cook University (JCU). He said he uses a full spectrum of patient ca
JCU Senior Fellow receives top rural GP accolade
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has named Dr Denise Powell the winner of the RACGP’s top rural accolade, the 2017 Brian Williams Award. Dr Powell is a James Cook University (JCU) General Practice Training Senior Fellow, based in Bundaberg. As a Senior Fellow, Dr P
GP registrar’s supporting each-other throughout their training
Dr Peter Neeskens is a third-year general practice registrar with James Cook University’s (JCU) General Practice Training program. Dr Neeskens is one of JCU’s six Registrar Liaison Officer’s - registrars who advocate on behalf of other registrars during their training and who serve
GMT registrar shares exam tips
Dr Janice Kiem was recently awarded the Maureen Duke and Marian Sullivan Memorial Award for the Queensland Registrar with the highest Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) score for semester one of 2017. Dr Kiem completed general practice training through James Cook University’'s (J
GMT registrar receives top marks in clinical examination
Dr Janice Kiem was recently awarded the Maureen Duke and Marian Sullivan Memorial Award for the Queensland Registrar with the highest Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) score for semester one of 2017. Dr Kiem completed general practice training through James Cook University’s (JC
City paramedic’s seachange inspires new career
Dr Natalie Fonda grew up amongst a family of doctors in bustling Melbourne, but now calls the Sunshine Coast home. Natalie was keen to buck the family trend (her father and both siblings are doctors), so studied to become a paramedic before working as an Advanced Life Support Paramedic for Ambulance
Choose rural general practice for a rewarding career
Dr Cindy Jackson’s journey to becoming a GP has included many experiences and opportunities for growth, which she says helped her become a better doctor. Dr Jackson is a GP and a Medical Educator with James Cook University’s (JCU) General Practice Training program, who owns her own pract
Mother of three enjoying GP training in Bundaberg
Dr Veronica Dodemaide is one of the Wide Bay regions newest registrars to commence specialist general practice training with James Cook University’s (JCU) General Practice Training program. Dr Dodemaide’s grew up in a rural area outside of Gympie, and her first experience of Bundaberg wa
Incorporating academic research into GP training
Dr Nadee Wickramasuriya encourages GP registrars to consider the benefits of undertaking an academic post. Nadee studied and practiced medicine in Sri Lanka before moving to Australia in where she is undertaking general practice training in the Sunshine Coast region. She completed an academic post a
Island life and general practice training
It was a spontaneous decision by James Cook University (JCU) registrar Dr Emma Pickstone to move her family to a tropical island in order to take up a job, but one she is glad she made. Dr Emma Pickstone is completing the final stages of her general practice training on Thursday Island in the Cape a
The benefits of an academic post
Dr Phoebe Holdenson Kimura, a GP in the Atherton Tablelands with interests in rural health, mental health and women’s health, undertook an academic post as part of her general practice training, and encourages registrars with an interest in research and teaching to consider doing the same. Dr
GP training during a cyclone – Dr Nissen’s story
James Cook University (JCU) Registrar Dr Skye Nissen played a vital role in providing health care following Cyclone Debbie in March 2017. Dr Nissen is a GMT GP Registrar based at the Proserpine Hospital. “I’m from Cairns so I’m used to cyclones, but cyclone Debbie was just somethin
JCU registrar honoured with NAIDOC week award
Dr Jeanette Wimbus received the Bundaberg and District NAIDOC Scholar of the Year Award for her contribution to her community at an award ceremony in July 2017. Dr Wimbus is currently completing her general practice training through James Cook University’s (JCU) General Practice Training progr
St George doctor a finalist to be named the nation’s best GP
The following article is republished with permission from Maranoa Plus More.
JCU answers the call for rural doctors
James Cook University (JCU) is answering the call for more doctors in regional, rural and remote Queensland. This year, the University is training 593 GP registrars through the provision of its General Practice Training program. This program has been contracted by the Australian Govern
Cultural mentors to close the gap
Cultural Mentors are an integral part of the training process for James Cook University (JCU) GP registrars throughout Queensland. They navigate new registrars through culture and country so they can provide the best possible service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Gary Walsh, In
Medical Educator focused on giving back
From student, to senior lecturer and now medical educator, Dr Ciara Ross is passionate about sharing her knowledge with the new generation of General Practitioners (GPs). Dr Ross is part of James Cook University’s (JCU) General Practice Training team and is a practicing GP in her home town of
JCU registrar set for life in the bush
Dr Cameron Hoare is a James Cook University (JCU) GP registrar dedicated to providing good primary and hospital care to the town he now calls home. The Cardwell raised doctor decided on a tree change after his fourth year medical placement in Cloncurry, at the Flinders Medical Centre. He sai
New generation of GPs calling Bundaberg home
A new generation of general practitioners is calling Bundaberg home thanks to a locally administered training program. James Cook University’s (JCU) General Practice Training program is helping to address the GP shortage in Bundaberg, with 29 doctors currently completing general practitione
JCU sparks boost in Health Checks
The Innisfail Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community are looking forward to a healthy future thanks to the hard work of Mamu Health Service Limited and James Cook University (JCU). Community Outreach Worker and Cultural Mentor Brett Ambrum said they’ve noticed an increase in Aborigina
Longreach registrar attends World Rural Health Conference
Dr Paul Adams, James Cook University (JCU) Registrar in Longreach attended the 2017 WONCA World Rural Health Conference in Cairns in May 2017. Dr Adams grew up in Brisbane, and initially trained as a paramedic before deciding to become a doctor. He said the major health issues in Longreach includ
JCU GP supervisor caring for a community
Growing up in a remote Mt Isa Aboriginal community, James Cook University (JCU) supervisor Dr Marjad Page never thought he could become the man he is today, but knew he wanted to help his people. Dr Page, who works at Gidgee Healing and Mt Isa Base Hospital, is a proud Christian, Kalkadoon, Waanyi a
Award winning GMT supervisors
Two James Cook University (JCU) GP supervisors took home awards at the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland (RDAQ) 28th Annual Conference in Townsville (June 10). Dr Claudia Collins and Dr Marjad Page were each awarded the inaugural Denis Lennox Medal. Professor Tarun Sen Gupta, RDAQ Treasurer
Social justice through rural medicine
A passion for working with people attracted Dr Daria Romanik to medicine. Dr Romanik is undertaking her GP training through James Cook University (JCU) and works in Mossman, where she splits her time between the Mossman District Hospital and the Apunipima community controlled clinic located within t
Medical student from the city finds his niche in the bush
It was a fear of flying that led Dr Marco Giuseppin to discover that his dream job was to one day become a flying doctor. Dr Giuseppin studied medicine after initially completing a pharmacy degree. An early placement at the Toowoomba Rural Clinical School was Dr Giuseppin’s first taste of r
Communication key to better care
With an advanced skill in mental health underway Dr Ebonney van der Meer is achieving her dream of helping people. Dr van der Meer is a registrar with James Cook University (JCU)'s General Practice Training program undertaking Advanced Specialised Training (AST) at the Townsville Adult Acute Mental
Atherton home to next generation of GPs
Dr Aaron Sparshott is enjoying Atherton life after starting General Practitioner training at the Atherton Hospital this year through James Cook University’s (JCU) General Practice Training program. Dr Sparshott and his young family moved to Atherton so he could undertake his training. He hopes
Get In Touch
Ph: 07 4781 3262
Building 39, Level 1,
James Cook University,
Townsville QLD 4811
Navigation
© 2023 James Cook University General Practice Training | Site Map | Site by OracleStudio