The University of Newcastle Medical Alumni

The University of Newcastle Medical Alumni aims to develop collaborative relationships that foster academic, business, social and career opportunities for medical graduates. The chapter was launched in November 2008 with a dinner to celebrate 30 years of the medical program at the University. 

Latest news and events

Review of the Bachelor of Medicine program

Thank you to medical alumni and students from both campuses who have been involved in the review focus groups so far. Participants offered constructive feedback on a number of aspects of the current program and the proposed changes including; length, research emphasis, training and assessment of clinical competencies. Many participants emphasised the importance of maintaining early clinical experiences within the medical program. It has been determined that the start date of a restructured program would be 2014. Visit the website to see what common issues are being raised across the consultation groups so far.

Ongoing consultation for curriculum review

Meetings of conjoint and adjunct staff in the Newcastle area have been scheduled for 22 September (Mater), 26 September (John Hunter) and 28 September (Maitland).  Invitations have been sent for all of these groups. If you haven’t received an invitation and would like to be involved, please contact Judy.Wood@newcastle.edu.au. Your feedback is welcome any time at jmp@newcastle.edu.au.

Dr Malcolm Ireland retires

Dr Malcolm Ireland formally stepped down as Program Convenor at the end of 2010. The medical program and the JMP owes an enormous debt to Malcolm who has steered the development of the JMP while at the same time running the Newcastle BMed program. Malcolm’s attitude to student welfare is excellent and his intelligent and critical approach to the delivery of the medical program has produced a quality experience for our students. The JMP is extremely grateful for his ongoing commitment and wishes him well in retirement.

Colin Butler (BMed 1987)

A/Prof Colin Butler was awarded ARC Future Fellowship research funding for four years for his work in sustainable population health. A/Prof Butler works for the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University. He is researching issues surrounding sustainable population health in Australia and the threat by emerging global and domestic forces, including rising costs of energy and food, linked with climate change and migration. Domestic factors include a growing, ageing population. Better understanding of these forces will enhance national capacity to respond and adapt to these risks.

Graduate making an award winning impact in rural health


Sarah McEwan (nee Gibbons) (BMed 2005) has been awarded the University of Newcastle 2011Indigenous Alumni Award and the prestigious Rural Registrar of the Year Award by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM). The awards recognise Dr Sarah McEwan’s dedication, passion and understanding for the medical needs of people in remote areas. Sarah has a particular interest in the needs of women and Indigenous communities. This has led her to her current role as District Medical Officer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Emergency at Port Hedland Hospital Western Australia, via placements in other regional areas including Tamworth, Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah. Congratulations Sarah.


Social medial and the medical profession

The AMA has released a guide to online professionalism for medical practitioners and medical students. Inappropriate online behaviour can potentially damage personal integrity, doctor-patient and doctor-colleague relationships, and future employment opportunities. Our perceptions and regulations regarding professional behaviour must evolve to encompass these new forms of media. These practical guidelines (link to http://ama.com.au/socialmedia) assist doctors and medical students to continue to enjoy the online world, while maintaining professional standards.

Medical Alumni reunions

This year the class of 2001 is planning an event on 19 November. Please contact Rodney James on rod_s_james@yahoo.com.au. if you would like more details. The School is happy to assist past cohorts in organising and promoting their reunion and encourage the 1991, 1992 and 2002 cohorts to contact the Office of the Dean of Medicine on +61 2 4921 7776 if they are planning an event.

Year 5 Celebration Week

A “Day of Talks” will be held as part of the 2011 medical student’s graduation celebration week.  The students are interested in hearing from speakers from varying fields talk about their training process, how competitive the application process was, demands of the job, work/life balance, pay, public versus private work schedule, travel, other job possibilities and any other information they wish they had been told before they chose their own career path. Any graduates interested in helping our current cohort venture into the workplace by volunteering to speak at this event should contact neroli.foster@newcastle.edu.au or phone 49216924.

Keeping in Touch

Update your contact details so we can keep in touch with you. Go to http://www.newcastle.edu.au/alumni/update-your-details/

Your story

We would like to know your story. If you would like to share it contact neroli.foster@newcastle.edu.au