QUT will launch a new School of Clinical Medicine to help meet Australia’s future health needs.
Sitting within in the Faculty of Health, it will be run by Professor Jennifer Williams, who was this week announced as Dean and Head of School.
Professor Williams, a respected academic and clinical specialist, is currently the Executive Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of New England in New South Wales.
She is also a senior staff specialist emergency physician at the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.
QUT Acting Vice-Chancellor Distinguished Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik said Professor Williams’ reputation for innovation, collaboration, advocacy and strategic leadership in the tertiary sector would provide a strong leadership base as plans for the new School of Clinical Medicine progress.
“Professor Williams brings a depth of knowledge across both public and private health, the insurance industry and her board experience in the not-for-profit sector,” Professor Barner-Kowollik said.
Faculty of Health Executive Dean Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates said the appointment was an important milestone as QUT proactively worked toward establishing the School of Clinical Medicine.
“QUT has great strengths in clinical medicine and the appointment of Professor Williams is part of our plan to bring together QUT medical academics and create more opportunities for collaboration,” Professor Yates said.
“Professor Williams has paired her clinical and academic careers for more than a decade. She led the establishment of Griffith University’s Doctor of Medicine Program at the Sunshine Coast and the first end-to-end medical program in the region, prior to moving to the University of New England.”
Professor Williams said she was looking forward to being part of the expansion of the QUT Faculty of Health.
“Establishing the new School is an amazing opportunity to bring together QUT’s world-class medical researchers to look toward the future of clinical medicine.”
Professor Williams starts in early July.
