Education and training opportunities
Discover a range of education and training opportunities available to doctors across all levels within the northern Queensland region. Opportunities include formal protected teaching time along with other informal educational opportunities, helping doctors further advance their professional skills and knowledge.
A network of medical training opportunities
We connect medical students, interns and junior doctors with resources and opportunities to prepare for specialist training and beyond, creating stronger health outcomes in our region.
Dr Tadiwa Mashavave, Junior Doctor, Mackay Base Hospital
“It was during my time at JCU that I decided I wanted to end up somewhere rural or regional and I thought I would be able to gain a lot of hands-on skills in my junior years at a regional hospital like Mackay Base Hospital. It’s been great working with other doctors who are as passionate about rural health and the people it serves.”
Dr Hannah Bennett, Rural Generalist and Pain Specialist, Townsville University Hospital
"As a consultant in Pain Medicine, I have excellent work-life balance. Townsville is a great place to raise a family and there's so much on your doorstep here. It's just an easy life.” Read More
Dr Anthony Brazzale, Cardiologist, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
“We have advanced trainees who come from Brisbane and want to come back here now as consultants. They tell us this is one of the best training centres in Australia. The opportunities you get up here, you’ll get nowhere else.” Read MoreKeep up to date with our latest news & events!
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28 November 2024
Mentorship and Medicine: Orthopaedic Surgeon empowering Townsville’s Healthcare Community through Education
Associate Professor Kaushik (Kosh) Hazratwala is a world-leading orthopaedic surgeon who has dedicated his career to advancing education and training in the medical field.
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11 November 2024
Inspiring medical students and junior doctors to dive into research
Professor Andrew Mallett, a trailblazer in the field of kidney genetics, has been awarded the prestigious Researcher of the Year Award by the Townsville Hospital and Health Service, recognising his remarkable contributions to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient outcomes.
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24 October 2024
Doctor's Legacy of Education and Innovation
After three decades of dedicated service at Townsville University Hospital, Dr Robert Norton has retired, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy in the fields of microbiology and infectious diseases. As the Clinical Director of Microbiology, Dr Norton has been at the forefront of diagnosing and combating some of North Queensland’s most challenging health issues. Beyond his clinical work, one of his greatest passions has been mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals, particularly junior doctors and medical students from James Cook University. Dr Norton says the rewards of mentoring are twofold, allowing him to continue his own education while inspiring others. "It is an opportunity for me to continue learning and to hopefully encourage the next generation to appreciate the importance of infectious diseases in our region," he says. Throughout his career, Dr Norton has been deeply involved in various education events through the Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs, including career fairs and pathology training information sessions. He sees these activities as vital for sparking interest in careers in medicine, microbiology, and infectious diseases. "They are very important," he says. "It’s an opportunity for our students to informally meet doctors in a variety of fields and to discuss what the job entails and, more importantly, whether it is for them."
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4 March 2024
Something in the Ayr
For General Practice (GP) Registrar, Dr Ashleigh Attard, there is no place like home. After receiving hands-on GP training and experience practising in regional and remote clinics across Northern Queensland, Dr Attard returned home to complete her final GP practice placement in Ayr. Ashleigh said, the decision to move home to service the community was an easy one. “I thought it would be nice to come back and work at home, in a community that I'm familiar with,” she said. “I wanted to give back to the community where I've lived my whole life and all my family still lives here. It was an easy decision to make.” During the 18-month placement at Outback Family Medicine, Ashleigh received support, supervision and training from her cousin, an experienced GP working at the practice. “I had that family connection to the workplace already and it was a great environment to do my training in,” she said. “My cousin was a great mentor. The practice has really great patients and staff.” Working as a GP Registrar in a rural community, Dr Attard gained a wide scope of practice providing continuity of care to patients with diverse clinical presentations. “I see a lot of patients across the spectrum from young to old,” she said. “I look after the Home Hill Nursing Home and I have a lot of patients that I go to visit once a week. “I have lots of antenatal, and I'm involved in the antenatal care of some of my friends from school who are having babies. “You really get immersed in the community, and you will know so much more about your patients, and you feel like you really are making a difference in people’s lives definitely more so in a rural town.”
Read MoreThe NQRTH medical training network:
NQRTH is an initiative of the Australian Government's Integrated Rural Training Pipeline (IRTP) and is facilitated by James Cook University in partnership with public and private hospitals, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), health services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and GP clinics.
Cairns region
(07) 4226 8187
Central West region
(07) 4764 1547
Mackay region
(07) 4885 7122
North West region
(07) 4764 1547
Torres and Cape region
(07) 4095 6103
Townsville region
(07) 4781 3424