15 June 2006
Professor Chris Browne has been appointed the Acting Head of the new medical school at Monash University's Gippsland Campus.
Since late 2005 Professor Browne has been co-chair of the working party that has been developing the plans for the Gippsland Medical School and has played a key role in ensuring existing expertise at Monash University will transfer to the new program. His duties will include ensuring the new graduate medical school is ready to open in February 2008.
The Commonwealth and State Governments announced on 8 April that they would provide $10 million to establish the regional medical school.
Professor Browne is well credentialed to head the school, having led thedevelopment of Monash's undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course and overseen the development of the Monash University Malaysia Medical School. In 2005 he established the College of Medicine at the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, based on the MBBS curriculum.
The Dean of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University, Professor Edward Byrne, said Professor Browne was the ideal candidate to head the Gippsland medical school. "He has an excellent knowledge of the Monash University medical program and the goals of the new program we are establishing in Gippsland," Professor Byrne said.
The new medical school is expected to help address the shortage of medical professionals in regional Australia. It is currently estimated Victoria has a shortfall of approximately 120 commencing medical student places each year with a possibility the shortfall may increase to as much as 500 by 2013. The greatest effect of the shortfall is expected in regional Victoria.
Professor Browne said his goal was to create a high quality medical school that allowed more regional students to study to become doctors. "In so doing, this medical school will benefit not only regional Victoria but all of Australia," he said.
Professor Browne's first meeting with staff at the Monash University Gippsland Campus will take place on 15 June. He will speak to staff about the goals of the new medical school, key timelines and the structure of the graduate-entry course.
"Monash University has an exceptional history of success in teaching medicine," he said. "This new program will maintain that excellence while also being more accessible for high quality Victorians."
For further information, please visit the Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences website or contact Justin Kohlman, Manager of Marketing, Monash University Gippsland Campus on +61 3 5122 6214 or Penny Fannin, Chief of Staff, Media Communications, Monash University on +61 3 9905 5828.
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