Biography
Born and raised in Armidale, Dr Epps completed her medical degree at UNSW and undertook her Junior Medical Officer training in Orange, NSW as NSW RDN Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadet. She continued her training as an RACGP Rural Stream Registrar in Central West NSW, and practised as a GP and Visiting Medical Officer in the region. On returning to Armidale in 2010, she took up the position of Senior Lecturer in General Practice in the School of Rural Medicine at UNE. In this role, Dr Epps has taught Years 1 and 3 of the Joint Medical Program (JMP) Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine.
Dr Epps has 20 years’ experience as a rural clinician and GP, with provision of both practice and hospital-based medical care, supervision and teaching of medical students and recently graduated doctors, and since 2010 as a GP academic. She is passionate about Rural health, One health and research in these fields to improve health outcomes in rural communities.
Qualifications
- PhD FRACGP DCH (USyd) BSc(Med)MBBS (Hons, UNSW)
- Certificate in Clinical Teaching and Supervision (UoN)
Teaching Areas
Dr Epps has been a problem-based learning tutor, case-based learning tutor, clinical and communication skills tutor and anatomy tutor in the JMP since 2010. Dr Epps currently teaches in Years 1 and 3 of the JMP curriculum, and is an examiner for assessments in Years 1-3. Dr Epps is the UNE Course Coordinator for MEDI1101A/MEDI1101B, Year 1 of the JMP.
Teaching areas include multiple fields of Medicine, reflecting the broad JMP undergraduate curriculum in Years 1-3 – medical ethics, professionalism, clinical examination and communication skills, research skills, diagnostics, radiology, pathology, therapeutics, integrated care, chronic disease management, general practice, and most medical and surgical subspecialities.
Research Interests
- One health
- Zoonotic infections
- Rural health
- Medical education – particularly in rural areas
- Mental health
- Population health
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus – diabetic neuropathy, diabetic foot ulcers and vascular complications
- Remote ischaemic conditioning
- Awarded PhD in 2022 Remote Ischaemic Conditioning and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Role of Neuropathy in Translational Difficulties
- Chair/Moderator, Northern NSW Q Fever Symposium, Armidale, July 2024
Research Supervision Experience
- Currently supervising PhD student (UNE) – antihypertensive medication selection
- Currently supervising undergraduates for research projects
- 2011-2018 – Academic Supervisor for approximately 50 Rural and Global Health JMP undergraduate research projects
Publications
Epps, J. Dieberg, G. and Smart, N.A. (2022) Peripheral sensation and RIC inhibition: is diabetic peripheral neuropathy just the tip of the iceberg? Conditioning Medicine, 5(1):11-21.
Epps, J. Dieberg, G. and Smart, N.A. (2016) "Repeat remote ischaemic pre-conditioning for improved cardiovascular function in humans: a systematic review"
IJC Heart & Vasculature, vol. 11, 55-58.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2016.03.003 Epps, J. and Smart, N.A. (2016) "Remote ischaemic conditioning in the context of type 2 diabetes and neuropathy: the case for repeat application as a novel therapy for lower extremity ulceration", Cardiovascular Diabetology, 15:130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12933-016-0444-z
Clinical Skills and Experience
Dr Epps worked as a Junior & Resident Medical Officer, Honorary & Visiting Medical Officer, Rural Stream RACGP GP Registrar and GP in the communities of Cowra, Forbes, Armidale and Orange for over 20 years.
Memberships
- Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners National Rural Faculty
- Academy of Clinical Educators (University of Newcastle)
- New England General Practice Research Network
- One Health Regional Partnership (NSW)
- Q Fever Interest Group (Australia)
- NSW Rural Doctors Network
- New England Division of General Practitioners
- Previous service: NSW Rural Doctors’ Association Management committee, NEGPRN Advisory committee, and as an RACGP Fellowship Examiner.
