Stronger Together: Collaborative Innovations in Health Professions Education

The ACHIEVE Roadshow – Tamworth 2026 brings educators, clinicians and researchers together to explore how collaborative, evidence‑informed approaches are shaping the future of health professions education. Showcasing the breadth and impact of research undertaken by members of ACHIEVE, this session highlights how collective scholarship across disciplines is advancing teaching, learning and assessment, with flow‑on benefits for patient care.

The program features three invited speakers delivering presentations on key contemporary themes in health professions education: professionalism, clinical reasoning, and interprofessional education. Through research‑informed insights and practical examples, speakers will explore innovative educational strategies and discuss how collaboration can address complex challenges in training future health professionals.

Featured speakers

Dr Miriam Grotowski

Dr Grotowski is a Senior Lecturer in Medicine with the Joint Medical Program (University of Newcastle and University of New England) and is based in Peel Rural Clinical School where she is acting Dean. She holds a FRACGP, a Diploma of Psychiatry and a Master in Medical Education (Dist.) and continues to work in rural general practice. She is an examiner and supervisor for GP registrars, JMOs and students and is involved in rural and general practice curriculum support, including running a GP certificate of Teaching. Her interests include professionalism, clinical reasoning and feedback.

Professor Stuart Wark

Professor Wark is Deputy Head at the School of Rural Medicine at the University of New England. He has held senior teaching roles across the JMP since 2009, including as UNE Phase One lead, Phase Two Chair, and as UNE Discipline lead for Psychiatry and Health, Societies & Environment. Professor Wark's educational research interests are primarily in relation to assessment and curriculum design. His teaching has been independently recognised with School; Faculty; Vice Chancellor; and Australian Association for University Teaching Citations for Education Excellence.

Joanne Walters

Ms Walters is a certified practicing speech-language pathologist, Lecturer and Program Convenor for the Speech Pathology (hons) program. As a speech pathologist academic, she is interested in communication, interprofessional practice and educational technologies. Ms Walters has a particular interest in teaching, researching and engaging with diversity in practice education through interprofessional education, use of innovative models of clinical education and teaching including simulation, Virtual Reality and gamification to enhance student learning experience.

The Roadshow will be facilitated by Dr Susan Heaney and Mrs Alex Little.

How to engage

The Roadshow provides an opportunity to connect with peers, share ideas, and engage in meaningful dialogue across disciplines. The event will be delivered in a hybrid format, with in‑person attendance available in Tamworth and Taree, as well as online via Zoom.

In person

The University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health Tamworth Education Centre, 114 - 148 Johnston Street, Tamworth.
A satellite site will be held in Seminar Room 1 – Room 102 Manning Education Centre, 69A High St, Taree.

Online