Newsletter April 2013 Port Macquarie Campus
April 2013
The 2013 academic year has begun in earnest. The Year Fives have completed their first module in the Med/Surg/ Critical Care trifecta. This past month the Year Fours joined us to start the Society and Health Module. And, recently, the Year Sixes have returned from electives from all over the globe. They are about to start on the final 2 modules of their academic career prior to the Selective term/exam preparation and final exams in mid-September. We also have a year 3 ILP student working with Matt Kinchington on a project related to Parkinson’s disease.
ChCh-ChCh-Ch– Ch–Changes1 Progress Report – Joint Health Education Facility and Rural Medical School Sign off on the final design plans for the building by all partners is completed. Submission of development application has taken place with ‘turning of the sod’ planned for early spring 2013. This is an exciting time for local tertiary education and will be a first for regional Australia.
Our new tiered lecture theatre
Artist impression of the JHEF and RMS
1—David Bowie
HWA Port Extension (CTF10-038 Project 1) was possible due to funding made available by Health Workforce Australia
# 1 UNSW RCS PMQ April 2013
The New and Improved Rural Clinical School Building This is really exciting. Four new small-group tutorial rooms have been completed—attached to the computer lab. The expansive outdoor deck is now complete with shade sails and deck furniture. And, finally, the pièce de résistance, the 110 seat tiered lecture theatre has been completed with all seats in place, only awaiting audiovisual installation later this month until fully operational. Overheard from more than one tutor—’Hey , this looks like a real medical school”.
Page 2
Simulated Learning Environment The SLE is in full swing with both Year 4 and Year 5 taking part in simulated learning exercises and scenarios. SLE manager, Ryan Salter, and SLE nurse educators, Donna Hughes and Kelly Strahorn, have been busy up skilling in simulation education including scenario creation, scenario debriefing and maximising the educational capability of the SLE. All three are working in close contact with our medical educators to provide a structured program for the medical students. Over the coming months the SLE will expand its’ profile to include interprofessional learning teams with interns, junior medical officers, nurses and allied health personnel.
SLE manager, Ryan Salter, and SLE nurse educators, Donna Hughes and Kelly Strahorn with Head of Campus , Dr Alexander “Sandy” McColl
SLE manager, Ryan Salter, and SLE nurse educators Kelly Strahorn with year 5 students, Clare McLennan, Renee Duvenage, Arushi Singh and Miranda Shatwell.
The HWA Port SLE (FA/2011/122 (NSW2) was possible due to funding made available by Health Workforce Australia
New Staff We would like to welcome Tony Jordan – TJ – to the campus. Tony is the Executive Assistant to the Associate Dean of Rural Heath – Dr Lesley Forster. Tony retired from the NSW Police Force after a career spanning 26 years specialising in criminal investigation, public relations, HR and management. We are happy to have him at the Port campus.
Final Notes I have recently returned from one week in Nepal lecturing in Pathology and Primary Care at the University of Kathmandu in Dhulikhel, Nepal. It was a terrific opportunity to view and participate in medical education in the developing world. This was organized through the Australians for Women's Health Foundation—the foundation chairman is Dr Ray Hodgson. (www.whi.org.au) Kris Vine, our research associate, will be returning from maternity leave in May to resume her role. To the administrative staff who keep the school running smoothly; to the medical and allied health staff who generously give of their time and expertise; to the research staff who have added to the capabilities of the school and to all others who have added to the success of the Rural Clinical School. My thanks and appreciation Dr Alexander “Sandy” McColl B.A., B.Sc. (P.T. - Hons), M.D., C.C.F.P., F.R.A.C.G.P., F.A.C.P. Head of Campus Phone 6580 7511 a.mccoll@unsw.edu.au
UNSW Rural Clinical School, Port Macquarie Campus The University of New South Wales, 26 Highfields Circuit , P.O. Box 5596 Port Macquarie NSW 2444 Phone: 02 6580 7511 Fax: 02 6580 7500 http://rcs.med.unsw.edu.au/ # 2 UNSW RCS PMQ April 2013