JCU: College of Medicine and Dentistry

🎧 New NQRTH Round Up Podcast Episode Out Now!
Bonus episode | Beyond the Complaint: The Impact of AHPRA Investigations
👉 https://bit.ly/3SJAX8P

Being reported can be one of the most confronting experiences in a doctor's career. Recorded following Dr Catriona Arnold-Nott’s incredibly popular presentation at Rural Doctors Association of Queensland - RDAQ conference , this special bonus episode of Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs The Round Up sees host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speak with Dr Arnold-Nott about her personal experience of being reported to AHPRA and the emotional impact of navigating a formal investigation

Dr Arnold-Nott shares what it feels like to suddenly find yourself on the other side of the healthcare system, dealing with uncertainty, fear and a loss of control while continuing to work and care for patients. She discusses the difference between everyday complaints and formal investigations, the importance of seeking support early, and the role of medical defence organisations and mental health professionals.

Whether you have faced a formal complaint, support colleagues who have, or simply want to understand more about the process, this episode offers an honest and practical perspective on an experience that can have a profound impact on a doctor's professional and personal life.

🌾 From cannulas to dinosaur races – rural placements offer experiences you'll never forget.

When fourth-year JCU medical student Jono arrived in Longreach for his rural placement, he expected to learn new clinical skills.

What he didn't expect was to become the "go-to" student for cannulas, assist in cataract surgeries, care for patients in the Emergency Department, and finish his placement as Queensland's third-fastest inflatable dinosaur! 🦖

Beyond the hands-on learning, it was the people and the strong sense of community that left the biggest impression.

"The people in Longreach were some of the friendliest I've ever met, and the strong sense of community made the placement even more special," Jono said.

His experience has inspired him to continue his rural journey, with a 12-week placement in Mount Isa already on the horizon next year.

A huge thank you to our incredible supervisors, clinicians and the welcoming Central West Queensland community for providing such valuable learning experiences and helping inspire the next generation of rural doctors.

📖 Read Jono's story here: https://www.crrh.jcu.edu.au/news-events/articles-radio-tv-interviews/test-fvef8e/

Thank you to our NQRTH Summer Research Bursary supervisors 👏

A huge thank you to all of the researchers, clinicians and supervisors from across northern Queensland who have contributed projects to the 2026/2027 NQRTH MBBS Summer Research Bursary Program.

This year, we have received an outstanding 20 research projects spanning Cairns, Mackay, Mount Isa, Townsville and online, providing MBBS students with a wide range of opportunities to gain hands-on research experience over the summer break.

From clinical medicine and public health to laboratory science, medical education, artificial intelligence and rural and remote health research, the projects reflect the depth and diversity of expertise across our region.

The Summer Research Bursary Program simply would not be possible without the generosity, enthusiasm and commitment of our supervisors. By volunteering their time to mentor students, our researchers and clinicians help foster curiosity, build research capability, and inspire the next generation of clinician-researchers.

Applications for the 2026/2027 program has opened and we look forward to connecting students with these exciting opportunities.

🙌 Thank you to everyone who has put forward a project and continues to support research training and mentorship across northern Queensland.

Read more 👇

Summer Research Bursaries Program | NQRTH Are you a JCU medical student looking to gain hands-on research experience and make a meaningful contribution to health in regional, rural, remote, and tropical Australia?

Praise continues to flow for the officially opened Yeinie Building in Cairns, with fourth year JCU medicial student Sophie Greenhalgh explaining to local media how it has transformed the learning experience for herself and fellow students.

She says the proximity to the Cairns hospital was ideal for Cairns-based medical students.

The facility is occupied by years four–six medical students, as well as serving as a home for students from other health disciplines who are undertaking clinical training placements at the Cairns Hospital.

Read the full story here:

Praise for uni building | Cairns Local News - Free to read No subscriptions | Local News covering Sport, Entertainment, Real Estate, Community & Business News for Port Douglas, Mossman, Daintree, Gordonvale, Kuranda & Innisfail QLD Australia. A FOURTH year medicine student has described how the new James Cook University Yeinie Building in Cairns has transformed her learning experience.

🩺 Showcasing the future of regional medicine.

From specialist mentoring and research presentations to mine rescue simulations and a visit to the Bowen Orbital Spaceport, the recent AMA Queensland Junior Doctors Conference highlighted the exciting opportunities awaiting doctors who choose regional Queensland.

Supported by James Cook University's Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs (NQRTH), the conference showcased Mackay as a growing centre for advanced clinical training, research and innovation.

NQRTH Regional Medical Training Manager, Mackay, Cherie Miller said the conference gave participants an authentic insight into regional medicine.

"What we're offering here is something junior doctors simply don't get in a city-based training pathway."

AMA Queensland President Associate Professor Erica Gannon said showcasing regional opportunities was vital to strengthening Queensland's future medical workforce.

"By showcasing the opportunities cities like Mackay hold for junior doctors, we hope to see more of them pursuing the challenges and rewards of medical careers outside Australia's capitals."

Read the full story below 👇

JCU showcases Mackay’s future of regional medicine through junior doctors conference | NQRTH James Cook University has helped showcase Mackay as an emerging centre for advanced regional medicine, research and healthcare innovation, hosting the first-ever Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ) Junior Doctors Conference in the Whitsunday region.

⏰ Final registrations close today!

Don't miss your opportunity to attend the 2026 Rick Speare Oration, a free annual lecture celebrating the connections between human, animal and environmental health while honouring the remarkable legacy of Professor Rick Speare.

This year, we're delighted to welcome Dr Marianne Gale, Queensland Health Chief Health Officer and Deputy Director-General, Population Health, as our guest speaker.

Drawing on a career that spans frontline medicine in Townsville, international humanitarian work with Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, tuberculosis control with the World Health Organization, and public health leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Gale will present:

Equity, Epidemics and Environment: A Public Health Leader's Perspective on One Health in Queensland

Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A discussion. Guests joining us in person at JCU Townsville are also invited to stay for drinks and light refreshments.

📅 Thursday 20 August 2026
🕔 5pm – 7.30pm
📍 Engineering and Innovation Place (Building 506), JCU Townsville, or online

Registrations close today, so be sure to secure your place.

2026 Rick Speare Oration Established in 2022, the James Cook University (JCU) Rick Speare Oration honours the late Professor Rick Speare.

🥦 Can eating more bitter foods improve your health? New research from JCU suggests it can.

Congratulations to JCU researcher Dr Zinat Mohammadpour on the publication of her latest study in Nutrition Research, which examined the dietary habits of more than 9,000 Australians.

The research found that people whose diets included higher amounts of naturally bitter foods, such as broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, tea and coffee, generally had healthier and more nutritious diets. It also found that older Australians and people living in rural and regional communities tended to consume diets with higher levels of bitterness.

Dr Mohammadpour said the findings highlight a simple and achievable way to improve diet quality.

"In our research we found that more bitter diets were healthier and that the overall bitterness of a diet is a good indicator of the quality of a diet."

Importantly, she says healthy eating doesn't have to mean forcing yourself to eat foods you don't enjoy.

"Our advice is to eat higher amounts of something that is a bit bitter, but also something that you can enjoy. For example, a bowl of salad is not intensely bitter, but if you eat more of it your diet will have more bitterness in it."

Congratulations to Dr Mohammadpour on this important contribution to nutrition research and its potential to improve public health.

Read the full story here 👇

Dietary advice leaves a ‘bitter’ taste New research investigated the dietary preferences of nine thousand Australians, finding people with diets that included foods with higher levels of ‘bitterness’ had healthier and more nutritional diets.

🌸 A morning of inspiration, connection and celebrating women in medicine.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the sold-out 2026 Townsville Women in Medicine Breakfast.

It was a privilege to bring together medical students, junior doctors, clinicians and healthcare leaders from across North Queensland to hear from an outstanding panel of speakers who generously shared their experiences, leadership journeys and passion for improving healthcare.

A heartfelt thank you to our keynote speaker Dr Erin Waters, and panel members Dr Kurinji Kannan, Dr Crystal Williams and Dr Maisie Stephen, for their honesty, insight and encouragement. Your stories reminded us of the importance of leadership, resilience, mentorship and creating opportunities for the next generation of doctors.

We also extend our sincere thanks to our partners Townsville Hospital and Health Service and Townsville Medical Staff Society (TMSS), and to our Major Sponsor, Women's Health Circle, whose generous support helped make this event possible while raising important funds for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to another memorable morning. We hope you enjoy some of the highlights from today's event.

🌟 Final Panel Speaker Announcement for this week's 2026 Townsville Women in Medicine Breakfast

We're delighted to introduce the final member of this year's sold-out Townsville Women in Medicine Breakfast panel, Dr Maisie Stephen.

A proud James Cook University College of Medicine and Dentistry graduate, Dr Maisie completed her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery in Townsville before undertaking her internship and residency at Townsville University Hospital, gaining experience across emergency medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, medicine, surgery and rural placements in Ingham and Ayr.

Today, she is serving with the Australian Army at Lavarack Barracks while completing her RACGP training through Clements Medical Fairfield and Charters Towers, including regular outreach clinics in Karumba.

Her journey reflects the diverse and rewarding career pathways available to JCU graduates, combining military service, rural general practice and a commitment to caring for regional communities.

Outside medicine, Dr Maisie is also an accomplished rugby union player, representing the Australian Army and Australian Defence Force, including competing at the Defence Rugby World Cup.

Dr Maisie joins keynote speaker Dr Erin Waters and fellow panellists Dr Kurinji Kannan and Dr Crystal Williams for what promises to be an inspiring discussion on leadership, career pathways and the future of women in medicine.

We're proud to welcome another outstanding JCU graduate back to share her story.

🔬 What a fantastic day at MED NORRTH 2026 in Cairns!

The conference brought together medical students, junior doctors, clinicians and researchers from across northern Queensland to share ideas, showcase innovative research and strengthen the region's growing research culture.

The day opened with a joint plenary session alongside the Northern Queensland Physicians Conference, featuring an inspiring keynote from Professor Eddy Strivens and an engaging panel discussion led by Dr Peter Bourke, with Dr Tom Kite, Dr Elias Bitzer and JCU medical student Mia White exploring how research can shape careers and improve healthcare outcomes.

Throughout the day, delegates presented an impressive range of oral and poster presentations, highlighting the quality of research being undertaken by emerging clinicians and researchers across our region. It was also wonderful to see experienced researchers sharing their knowledge and mentoring the next generation through the Research Speed Networking session.

Congratulations to everyone who presented, volunteered and contributed to making MED NORRTH another outstanding success. Together, we're helping build a strong culture of research, collaboration and innovation that will benefit communities across northern Queensland.

📸 Swipe through some of the highlights from an inspiring day.