Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Celebrating 25 Years of JCU Medicine

Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs (NQRTH) is proud to sponsor a milestone symposium, bringing together delegates from across the region and beyond to reflect on the experiences and achievements of James Cook University’s Medical School since its inception. From its humble beginnings to today’s innovations and the College’s ambitious vision for the future, the symposium will provide a platform for insightful discussions and reflections. 

The event will open with a keynote address by Dr Prue Wallin, a distinguished Rural Generalist with advanced skills in anaesthetics. Dr Wallin has dedicated her career to rural and remote medicine, with experience in Cooktown and Badu Island in the Torres Strait. She now continues her leadership journey from the Sunshine Coast hinterland and was recently appointed Medical Director of the Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway (QRGP). 

A panel of esteemed medical experts, including Professor Tarun Sen Gupta, Head of the Townsville Clinical School, and Professor Richard Hays, JCU Medicine’s founding dean, will explore key lessons from the past 25 years and discuss the role of the alumni community in shaping the College’s future. 

Professor Brad Murphy OAM, a proud Kamilaroi man and fellow keynote speaker, will present on the theme "Underserved, Not Undeserved: Giving Back to the Community." A graduate of JCU Medicine’s inaugural cohort in 2005, Dr. Murphy has dedicated his career to serving the North Burnett region as a Rural Generalist and has played a pivotal role in advancing community health initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

The symposium will conclude with a student-focused session led by the JCUMSA and RHINO executive teams, followed by an educational workshop on training pathway development in northern Queensland. This session will highlight NQRTH’s efforts in connecting medical students, interns, and junior doctors with essential resources and opportunities to pursue specialist training in the region.