Following an extensive international search, Curtin University has appointed Professor William Hart to the position of Foundation Head of Medicine in the Faculty of Health Sciences.<\/p>\n
Professor Hart\u2019s role will be to lead the Department of Medical Education and Curtin\u2019s proposed medical school.<\/p>\n
With a particular interest in public health, epidemiology and medical psychology, Professor Hart\u2019s career in medical education and research has spanned more than 30 years. He is currently the Director of the Gippsland Medical School, Monash University\u2019s rural medical school based in central Gippsland, which he helped to establish.<\/p>\n
Curtin University Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor David Wood said the inaugural appointment would work toward achieving federal funding for Curtin\u2019s proposed medical school based at its Bentley Campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cProfessor Hart\u2019s extensive experience in establishing a medical school focused on rural health will be of great benefit to developing Curtin\u2019s interprofessional clinical schools in rural and regional areas,\u201d Professor Wood said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis dual training in medicine and psychology, former roles in health sciences and medical education, and deep understanding of interprofessional learning will ensure our proposed medical degree is relevant, with a team-based approach to teaching that will improve patient safety and quality of care.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the coming months, Professor Hart will lead the ongoing development of the medical curriculum, the clinical partnerships and the resources required to deliver Curtin\u2019s proposed medical degree.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Hart said his appointment was an exciting and unique opportunity to contribute to the future of healthcare in Western Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy establishing a medical school at Curtin, we would make a major contribution to the availability and quality of healthcare, particularly rural-based and outer metropolitan GP services, in Western Australia,\u201d Professor Hart said.<\/p>\n
Professor Hart is pleased to be leading the drive for WA\u2019s only five-year undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery degree.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents deserve the option of an undergraduate medical degree. WA has the fastest growing population in Australia and major expansions in public and private hospitals are planned, so Curtin\u2019s proposed new doctors would greatly improve access to medical services and reduce doctor shortages and uneven distribution of healthcare services.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s also important that we give school leavers the opportunity to study medicine here in WA. Curtin\u2019s degree would keep talented young people in WA and mean more locally-trained doctors for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Hart graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery with Honours (MBBS Hons) from Monash University in 1973. Over the past 30 years he has been a public health physician, a part-time GP and chief executive of a medical research consortium (Neurosciences Victoria Ltd) securing many millions of dollars in research funding. Professor Hart has also been very actively involved in medical and health sciences education, mainly in the fields of medical psychology and community health.<\/p>\n
Professor Hart will take up his new role on Monday 24 September.<\/p>\n