JCU Mackay celebrates healthcare milestones

JCU Medicine 2014 alumnus Dr Alex McLaren, Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs, CMD Dean Prof Richard Murray, JCU Medicine 2014 Alumnus Dr Anneliese Slack, Mrs Helen Darch, Mackay Hospital and Health Service Board Chair and Dean of College of Healthcare Sciences Professor Pauline Calleja at JCU Mackay's milestone celebrations.

James Cook University’s Ngudya Yamba (Mackay) campus has three good reasons to celebrate this year with significant milestones reached in training future doctors, nurses and pharmacists for the local region.

In 2024, JCU Mackay will celebrate 20 years of teaching Medicine, 10 years since the first Nursing cohort graduated, and the first year of teaching a complete Pharmacy cohort from years one through to four.

JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said the significance of these milestones and what collectively has been achieved over the past 20 years in Mackay could not be overstated.

‘‘As a university, we are dedicated to teaching, training and supporting future health professionals whose day-to-day work will be at the heart of regional healthcare delivery,’’ Professor Biggs said.

‘‘JCU will always strive to provide regional, rural and remote students with access to courses to build our future workforces.

‘‘Increasing course offerings at our regional campuses is something we’re incredibly proud of with the results here in Mackay a testament to what can be achieved.’’

The ‪Dean of the College of Medicine and Dentistry Professor Richard Murray said Mackay had been a clinical training site for future Doctors since 2004.

‘‘Over the past 20 years, 511 JCU Bachelor Medicine and Bachelor Surgery graduates have completed most of their clinical training right here in Mackay at the JCU Clinical Training Centre,’’ Professor Murray said.

‘‘We are delighted by this milestone. Over the years we have developed a proven track record for preparing tomorrow’s healthcare professionals, with the addition of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) in 2020.

‘‘This year, we will congratulate the first Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) Graduates in Mackay who commenced their studies in 2020, which is a sensational milestone to have reached.

‘‘The demand for healthcare professionals has never been so great, which is why JCU is committed to developing the best and brightest talent who we hope will go on to live and work in their regional, rural and remote communities.’’

The Deputy Head of Nursing and Midwifery and the Mackay Site Coordinator Dr Maude Chapman said the future of nursing in the region was looking bright following JCU’s 10 successful years in Mackay.

‘‘We began delivering the Bachelor of Nursing Science in Mackay in 2012 and since that time more than 150 students have graduated from the course,’’ Dr Chapman said.

‘‘It’s heartening to know that many of our graduates have been local people who have since gone on to provide nursing to the community where they have grown up and studied.

‘‘As a university, we continue to be committed to growing our own nursing workforce for our region with a strong reputation for delivering a nursing program that attracts both school leavers and mature-age students from the local area and interstate.

‘‘Being here today to celebrate 10 years since the first Nursing graduation in Mackay is exciting and something students, staff and the community should be really proud of.’’