About the School of Rural Medicine
Welcome from the Head of School
With immense satisfaction, I am pleased to say that the first cohort of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine-Joint Medical Program (JMP) has finished its first year of study. The year has been rewarding, exciting and challenging.
The JMP is offered by the School of Rural Medicine at the University of New England and the University of Newcastle in partnership with the Hunter New England (HNEAHS) and Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Services (NSCCAHS).
The Bachelor of Medicine - JMP offers an exciting prospect for the future of medical education and training in which formal partnerships provide the platform to ensure top level student experience. Our flexible and innovative approach to teaching gives you the edge in achieving your personal and career goals.
The development of the JMP expands on the long term commitment of many medical and community stakeholders within the region to improve equity of access to health care for our patients and improve health services in rural areas of Australia. It offers a unique opportunity for students to train in remote, rural and metropolitan regions of Australia to obtain a recognised world class medical degree which will prepare you for work in clinical practice or research throughout Australia and the world. We hope some of you will continue your association with regional and rural Australia as you progress in your careers.
State-of-the-art infrastructure for JMP teaching at UNE include a 60-student capacity anatomy laboratory, eight PBL rooms with secure 24-hour access, student self-catering facilities and a medical student common room.
I thank the students who enrolled in this innovative program - I wish you every success in your studies. You are important pioneers and your feedback and input into developing the program is essential. The linkage of the JMP with HNEAHS and NSCCAHS is a first in Australia and links medical education with the health workforce needs of this region. There is great potential to develop innovative projects which will offer the student body increased skills and training which will prepare you for the needs of the ever-changing health workforce.
I invite you to reflect on your future career goals and share them with your family and peers. During the course you will come in contact with academic staff at both universities and remarkable medical practitioners teaching in the community and in hospitals. You will also meet with community members and patients. All of these people can act as mentors and provide support for you. The development of the JMP has been a team effort. I thank everyone involved for their contribution and efforts. But most importantly, I invite the student body to play an active role in the further development of the JMP.
To have striven, to have made the effort, to have been true to certain ideals - this alone is worth the struggle”. (Sir William Osler)
Welcome and every success in a career of life long learning.