JCU's Postgraduate Health Webinar Series
Explore practical topics across Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, and Health Professional Education and discover flexible online postgraduate study options to strengthen your practice and support your next career step.
Episode 1 | How Do You Know Your Clinical Teaching Works?
Tuesday 10 November, 6.00pm - 7:30pm (AEST)
Episode 2 | Ready When It Matters Most: Careers in Public and Disaster Health
Thursday 19 November 6.00pm - 7:30pm (AEST)
Episode 3 | Lifestyle Medicine and Metabolic Health
Tuesday 24 November, 6.00pm - 7:30pm (AEST)
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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3 November 2026
Inspired to shape the future of women's health
Two James Cook University medical students have gained valuable insights and inspiration for the future of women's healthcare after attending a leading national conference in Sydney. Supported by Evoca and the North Queensland Regional Training Hubs (NQRTH), the experience provided a valuable opportunity to explore emerging issues, hear from leading experts and consider how the next generation of doctors can help improve women's health. Ria Mathew and Sianna Green attended the Evoca Women's Health Conference in October, joining GPs, registrars, nurses and allied health practitioners for a full day of expert presentations, discussion and professional networking. The program explored a diverse range of topics, including women's hormones and mental health, pelvic pain, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), postnatal pelvic floor health, benign breast disease and fertility. For Ria, who has a particular interest in women's mental health, hearing from Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, a renowned leader in the field, was a highlight. “I found the different mechanisms behind complex PTSD in women compared with men extremely interesting, and how often PMDD is mistaken for bipolar disorder is something I will definitely consider in the clinical space,” she said.
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14 October 2026
Mackay – the regional city that delivers on career and lifestyle
Looking for hands-on, high-impact medicine and a great lifestyle? Mackay may offer more than you expect.
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18 September 2026
Leading from the Far North: Dr John Hall’s Rural Generalist Journey
A passionate doctor and medical leader, Dr John Hall is a strong example of the impact one person can have on a community and beyond. As Medical Director of Maternity Services for the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service and owner of Melaleuca Medical Cooktown, Dr Hall’s work is helping shape healthcare across Far North Queensland. "Cooktown is a unique place to practice medicine. The community is close-knit, and the clinical work is incredibly diverse,” he says. “I’m based at the hospital and run the local GP clinic, so my days are a mix of hospital-based maternity care, emergency medicine, and general practice. The variety keeps me on my toes and allows me to make a real difference,” Dr Hall says. A Career Shaped by Rural Passion Dr Hall’s medical journey began with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Science at the University of Queensland, but it was his early experiences in regional hospitals that helped set the course for his career. "Working in rural and remote areas has always been a passion for me. There’s a sense of purpose here, you’re not just filling a gap, you’re building a future for these communities." His career has taken him from the Darling Downs to the Kimberley and now to Far North Queensland, with leadership roles including President of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia and Rural Doctors Association of Queensland. He has also been a driving force behind the reopening of birthing services in places such as Weipa and Cooktown, advocating for improved maternity care and Indigenous health outcomes. The Value of Regional Training Dr Hall is a strong advocate for junior doctor training in regional areas. "Training in regional hospitals gave me hands-on experience and accelerated my clinical skills. There’s less competition for procedures, so you get to do more, learn faster, and take on real responsibility early in your career. The medicine is fascinating, from First Nations health, tropical medicine, and complex cases you just don’t see in the city." He believes this environment fosters professional autonomy and a deep connection with the community. "You become part of the community, and you see the impact of your work every day. That’s incredibly rewarding."
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25 August 2026
From Overseas Graduate to Mackay Intern
Beautiful beaches and mountain trails may have first caught Dr Andrew Song's attention, but it was Mackay's reputation for excellent training and supportive healthcare teams that ultimately brought him north. Now several months into his internship at Mackay Base Hospital, Dr Song says the move to regional Queensland has been one of the best decisions he has made. “I'm a newly minted intern, so I was looking for a place that would not only be supportive professionally and personally but also provide a solid foundation for specialisation in the years to come,” he said. He admits Mackay's lifestyle was an immediate attraction. “As someone who enjoys hiking and nature, Mackay drew me in with its natural setting and preponderance of outdoor activities,” Dr Song said. “You've got loads of beautiful beaches, forests, mountains, and trails all within driving distance.”
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 7138
Central West Region
(07) 4764 1547
Mackay Region
(07) 4885 7122
North West Region
(07) 4764 1547
Torres and Cape Region
(07) 4226 7138
Townsville Region
(07) 4781 3424