Professor reflects on healthy role

Tuesday 28 March 2006

After heading the University of Newcastle’s Faculty of Health, a leader in health professional education, Professor John Marley is leaving the University of Newcastle to focus on new challenges.

“The University of Newcastle has leading national and international academics and researchers providing first class training to health professionals of the future,” says Professor Marley.

Developing new programs and new models of sustainable multiprofessional care in response to Australia’s need for allied health professionals are among the highlights for the outgoing Pro Vice-Chancellor of Health.

Professor Marley will step down as the Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Health at the end of his term in November this year.

Professor Marley says he is proud of the Faculty’s work which has strengthened the University of Newcastle’s position as a leader in health professional education and research.

“We have set up a number of great things here at the University,” says Professor Marley. “Faculty staff have been wonderful to work with and as a result we have increased research funding and developed international relationships.”

“The Faculty has also developed a range of new programs including the Bachelor of Oral Health, the Master of Pharmacy, and the Bachelor of Podiatry which will commence in 2007.”

Professor Marley says the establishment of the Cessnock Uni-Clinic, as a new model of professional care, has been a highlight.

“The Cessnock Uni-Clinic has attracted a great deal of interest nationally from both the State and Commonwealth Governments and there has been a constant stream of visitors keen to establish the model in their own areas.”

The Cessnock Uni-Clinic has just received funding worth $1.3 million which will triple its size in the next 12 months.

Professor Marley is a strong supporter of rural medical education. Under his guidance the University established the Department of Rural Health – Northern New South Wales in Tamworth and also recently obtained funding for the Rural Clinical School.

Professor Marley says that while he’s enjoyed his five years in the role, it is now time for new challenges.

“Research shows that people are often at their most creative in the first five years of a position,” says Professor Marley. “I’m now looking to move onto a range of new projects.”

While Professor Marley looks to new challenges, he says he will continue to be involved with the University by supervising higher degree students and working on his research.

Professor John Marley is available for interview on Tuesday 28 March 2006.