Celebrating Success
University of Newcastle
National University Teaching Awards celebrate exceptional University of Newcastle educators
Dr Melissa Tadros (School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy) has been awarded a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning for sustained commitment to enhancing student engagement, success and inclusion in biomedical education using digital tools that emphasise a personal teaching style, inspiring diverse cohorts.
Over 12 years, Dr Tadros has contributed to 16 undergraduate and postgraduate human biomedicine courses, designing and presenting material in a way that increases student motivation and involvement, facilitating deep understanding of complex content.
Dr Melissa Tadros - Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
University of New England
ACHIEVE congratulates Anna Barwick MPS on being awarded the Medal of Order of Australia (OAM)
ACHIEVE joins the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) in congratulating NSW pharmacist Member Mrs Anna Barwick MPS on being awarded the Medal of Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2025 Australia Day Honours.
Ms Barwick founded PharmOnline, an innovative platform which connects Australian patients living in remote areas with pharmacy services. A pharmacy academic from Walcha, NSW, she previously served on PSA’s NSW Branch Committee, including holding the role of vice-president from 2014-2020.
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS acknowledged Anna’s enormous contribution to pharmacy profession.
“Anna is a truly outstanding pharmacist. A pioneer of innovation, she has consistently transformed access to care in her community and beyond. I have been privileged to see first-hand Anna’s work, and hope that others are as inspired and energised as I am by her contribution to the community and to the next generation of pharmacists.” A/Prof Sim said.
“Long recognised by the profession, having won PSA’s Pharmacy Shark Tank award in 2021 and NSW Pharmacist of the Year in 2021, I am excited to see her achievements recognised on the national stage.”
“On behalf of PSA and the pharmacy profession, I sincerely congratulate Anna on this well-deserved recognition.” Learn more about Anna’s work in Australian Pharmacist.
PharmaOnline founder and Medal of Order of Australia awardee, Ms Anna Barwick
ACHIEVE SEEK Sessions
Professional Development Series - Share and Enhance Educator Knowledge (SEEK)
ACHIEVE SEEK Session – February: Generative AI in Higher Education – where is it now, where will it go?
The inaugural ACHIEVE SEEK Session for the year was presented on February 5, 2025, by Mr Ray Fleming, the Chief AI Officer at Innovate GBT, and moderated by Prof Steven Warburton (Pro Vice-Chancellor Education Innovation, University of Newcastle).
In his engaging presentation, Mr Fleming used his 30-year tech experience to explain the challenges and opportunities of Generative AI in Higher Education. He used a Lego master analogy to explain generative AI, emphasising the importance of quality inputs for better outputs. He highlighted AI's applications in personal productivity, process productivity and paradigm productivity.
His advice for using AI? Treat it like an intern: expect initial errors, provide constructive feedback and be patient. He stressed the importance of reading preprints in AI research due to rapid advancements that sometimes render publications obsolete by the time they are published. He noted AI's beneficial role in enhancing student creativity and tutoring, but pointed out existing flaws in identifying AI-generated work. He encouraged everyone to explore the AI in Education Podcast for more insights. Concluding with Sweden's 1970s traffic switch story, he reminded the audience that sometimes, sticking with the status quo is the riskier move.
To watch the recording, click here
Presenter at the SEEK Seminar in February 2025 – Mr Ray Fleming
Professional Development Series - Share and Enhance Educator Knowledge (SEEK)
ACHIEVE SEEK Seminar – March: Digital Footprints: The Impact of Online Behaviour on Health Professionals’ Careers
The March SEEK session was presented by Dr Lyn Gum from the University of South Australia and moderated by Associate Prof Adam Collison from the University of Newcastle. Dr Gum commenced the session by engaging participants with a task to identify their most frequently used social media platforms. She then provided an overview of her presentation, emphasising the importance of encouraging students to use social media responsibly.
Dr Gum elaborated on the concepts of e-professionalism and digital professionalism, defining e-professionalism as the communication and behaviour within electronic environments. She underscored the various issues arising from social media use by health professionals and students, including unprofessional behaviour and breaches of confidentiality, which can have significant legal repercussions. Dr Gum stressed the necessity for health practitioners to educate students on the importance of adhering to the professional standards of their field.
She also summarised a recent scoping review conducted by her team, which revealed that while social media can enhance the professional identity of students, not all students recognise the value or understand the importance of maintaining good professional attitudes and behaviours online. This lack of awareness can negatively impact their digital footprints. Dr Gum highlighted the need for increased awareness and discipline-specific guidance to help students navigate the boundaries between personal and professional use of social media.
In conclusion, Dr Gum offered practical suggestions for maintaining a positive digital footprint for healthcare professionals, educators, and students, emphasising the importance of responsible social media use in the health professions. To watch the recording, click here
Presenter at the SEEK Seminar in March 2025 – Dr Lyn Gum
ACHIEVE SEEK Workshop – April: Lifestyle Medicine: Enhancing Social Health and Mattering in Health & Education
On April 2, 2025, Mr Richard Thorpe, the Director of No Worries Psychology, presented the third ACHIEVE’s SEEK session titled ‘Lifestyle Medicine: Enhancing Social Health and Mattering in Health & Education’. The session was moderated by Prof Brian Kelly (University of Newcastle), Prof Stuart Wark (University of New England), Dr Susan Heaney (University of Newcastle Rural Health Department) and Dr Carissa Alderton (University of Newcastle Rural Health Department).
Mr Thorpe's captivating talk began with a nostalgic anecdote from his undergraduate days, emphasising the importance of human interactions. He acknowledged indigenous knowledge on connections and focused on the "relationships and social connections" pillar of Lifestyle Medicine. The audience engaged in group tasks to highlight commonalities and the significance of social interactions. Mr Thorpe highlighted that social isolation increases risks for heart disease, stroke and premature death by at least 26%, and some countries have appointed ministers to tackle this issue. He linked social isolation to mental health challenges and dementia, stressing the health benefits of connecting with nature.
He explained that social connections impact health through biological, psychological and behavioural processes. He introduced the concept of “mattering,” where feeling valued and valuable enhances job satisfaction and reduces stress. To conclude, he gave the audience a flower and a chocolate to gift someone, illustrating the power of appreciation. The presentation left a lasting impression on the attendees in relation to the importance of social interactions and mattering.
To watch the recording, click here
Presenter at the April 2025 ACHIEVE SEEK Workshop – Mr Richard Thorpe
Featured Article
A scoping review of interprofessional education in healthcare: Evaluating competency development, educational outcomes and challenges
Hemal Patel, Simone Perry, Eric Badu, Felista Mwangi, Oyepeju Onifade, Alexander Mazurskyy, Joanne Walters, Meredith Tavener, Danielle Noble, Sherphard Chidarikire, Lee Lethbridge, Liam Jobson, Hamish Carver, Annabelle MacLellan, Natalie Govind, Graham Andrews, Greg Kerrison-Watkin, Elizabeth Lun & Bunmi S. MalauAduli on behalf of the ACHIEVE Network
The study conducted by the ACHIEVE IPL & Wellbeing Research Subgroup aimed to map out the core competencies that health professions education students develop during interprofessional education (IPE) and identify the positive and negative educational outcomes. The authors analysed data from 88 studies published over the past 20 years and reported the following findings.
• The most frequently developed core competency was teams and teamwork, followed by roles and responsibilities.
• IPE significantly enhanced students’ self efficacy in interprofessional teamwork, profession specific knowledge and skills, quality of care for patients, patient outcomes, comprehension of the complexity of health systems and awareness of the unique healthcare needs of vulnerable populations.
• Negative impacts, such as logistical challenges and interpersonal issues like power dynamics and communication barriers, were reported.
Although challenges persist, the positive effects of IPE offer strong evidence for the ongoing integration of IPE in healthcare curricula. The study recommends further research to refine IPE delivery methods and explore innovative strategies to enhance its sustainability and impact on healthcare education and practice.
To read the full review article, click here
Key Points
• Teamwork is the most frequently developed competency in interprofessional education (IPE).
• IPE enhances role clarity, communication skills, and teamwork dynamics among healthcare students.
• Challenges include logistical issues, power dynamics, and increased workload affecting IPE effectiveness.
Student Stories
University of Newcastle – School of Nursing and Midwifery
Aradhana finds strength in supporting others - NSW International Student of the Year Award Winner
Determined to pursue her passion in Australia, Aradhana was drawn to Newcastle for its beaches, calm atmosphere and proximity to Sydney. The University of Newcastle’s strong international rankings sealed the deal for Aradhana, and she made the move from her home country of India. Three years later, Aradhana is graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing.
Fresh out of high school and adjusting to life in a new country, Aradhana soon realised the value of finding mentors and accessing support. So, when the opportunity arose to become an international student mentor, she eagerly embraced it.
“It’s a blessing because I feel like I’m helping my younger self who came to Australia with no knowledge and very little experience. Being that person and guiding future students in a mentoring program, I think is a great way to give it back.”
Aradhana was also a student ambassador for her program and involved with the Student Nurses and Midwives Society, through which she was a podcast convener and host.
All these experiences and dedication to her studies led to Aradhana winning the NSW International Student of the Year Award – Higher Education at the NSW International Education Awards.
University of New England – School of Health
UNE Pharmacy Student Embraces Unique Rural
Placement in Broome
University of New England (UNE) pharmacy student Melissa Neilsen has recently returned from a transformative rural placement in Broome, Western Australia an experience she describes as "better than I could’ve ever imagined.”
Melissa, now in her final year of study, has always been drawn to pharmacy, beginning her journey in community pharmacy in rural Victoria. UNE’s flexible study options allowed her to complete her degree while moving between Sydney and Melbourne, but it was her desire for hands-on experience in remote healthcare that led her to choose Broome for her placement.
“The minute I saw the list of places available, I knew Broome was my first preference,” she said. “A locum pharmacist once told me about her placement in Alice Springs, and it sounded incredible. That conversation inspired me to take on something similar.”
Over four weeks, Melissa worked across Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, and small remote communities, gaining firsthand experience in both hospital and community pharmacy settings. She was particularly moved by her interactions with Indigenous communities, learning about their unique healthcare needs and cultural approaches to medicine.
Click here to read more.
Views in Broome, Western Australia
Winner of the NSW International Student of the Year Award - Aradhana
Community Profile Professor Katie Wynne
Interim Head of School and Dean, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle
Originally from the UK, Professor Wynne studied at the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. While doing her PhD at Imperial College, she also completed a teaching certificate, which led her to take on a range of roles like Director of Graduate Entry Medicine and working within the Biomedical Science Program and the Masters of Cardiometabolic Medicine. Since moving to Australia in 2012, Katie has held a number of roles within the Joint Medical Program, including most recently, the Interim Head of the School of Medicine and Public Health, as well as Interim Dean of the JMP.
Prof Wynne is passionate about inclusion and equity both in education and in research. She is committed to helping shape the next generation of healthcare professionals so they’re not only ready to lead but also to serve our communities. Her research focuses on chronic disease, antenatal endocrinology, and transgender medicine. When it comes to health professional education, she is especially interested in workplace-based assessment and understanding graduate outcomes. She notes her passion for working with early career researchers by saying:
“It’s incredibly rewarding to watch people who are new to research make meaningful discoveries and grow in confidence, especially when they start presenting at conferences or publishing their work.”
Most recently, Katie’s team was proud to win the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards Quality Initiative Award for Clinical Excellence and Patient Safety for their project 'Supportive Care: what matters most?' The project was a postgraduate training program that brought palliative care principles into the supportive care of people living with chronic disease in their last couple of years of life.
“We showed that this approach can make a big difference cutting unplanned emergency department visits and hospital admissions by two-thirds, and improving end-of-life planning for people with advanced liver disease. Since then, a new service has been established in HNELHD and the program has been expanded to support other chronic disease groups.”
Working as both a Clinical Endocrinologist and within the University, Katie notes her fortune to collaborate with an inspiring group of individuals who bring fresh ideas and diverse perspectives. The questions posed by her students and patients continually sparks curiosity, and she notes her eagerness to explore the answers. Working at the intersection of clinical medicine, research, and health professions education provides Professor Wynne with the opportunity to learn something new every day, and it’s this constant growth and discovery that fuels my passion for the work I do. When asked what her advice is to those wanting to pursue academia, she states:
“I’d encourage new academics to stay open-minded and embrace every opportunity that comes their way. For me, becoming an endocrinologist has been an incredible journey it’s the perfect mix of patient care, cutting-edge research, and teaching.”
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/k atie-jane-wynne
Prof Wynne’s recent publications can be found here and here.
ACHIEVE Research Sub-Group Update –
Interprofessional Learning and Wellbeing
About Us
The Interprofessional Learning and Wellbeing group aims to foster collaboration and effective communication among diverse healthcare disciplines, enhancing patient-centred care.
Current Workings
The group recently published “A scoping review of interprofessional education in healthcare: evaluating competency development, educational outcomes and challenges” in BMC Medical Education which has already been accessed more than 1600 times since publication went live on March 20.
We are currently working on a mixed method study exploring health students’ and educators’ attitudes and perceptions towards interprofessional learning and practice.
Future Plans
With the insights gained from our IPL study we plan to pilot interventions for improved interprofessional learning and practice experiences
Who are we?
Lead:
• Ms Simone Perry
Co-Leads:
• Dr Hemal Patel
• Dr Gary Crowfoot
• Ms Joanne Walters
Active Members:
• Dr Felista Mwangi
• Dr Oyepeju Onifade
• Dr Eric Badu
• Dr Lee-Ann Jacobs-Nzuzi Khuabi
• Dr Alexander Mazurskyy
• Dr Meredith Tavener
• Ms Danielle Noble
• Dr Sherphard Chidarikire
• Ms Lee Lethbridge
• Mr Liam Jobson,
• Mr Hamish Carver
• Ms Annabelle MacLellan
• Ms Natalie Govind
‘Enthusiasm to work together with people from different health professions. People from clinical, education and/or research backgrounds bringing their expertise and sharing the work.’ – IPL and Wellbeing Lead, Ms Simone Perry
• Mr Graham Andrews
• Mr Greg Kerrison-Watkin
• Dr Elizabeth Lun
• Prof Margaret Alston
• A/Prof Ian Heslop
• Dr Carissa Alderton
• Dr Luke Wakely
Want to know more about the Interprofessional Learning and Wellbeing sub-group? Keep updated here!
Our Research
Recent HPE Research
• The Digital Health Competencies in Medical Education Framework - An International Consensus Statement Based on a Delphi Study | JAMA Network Open
• Pedagogical strategies for supporting learning and student well-being in environmentally sustainable healthcare | Frontiers in Medicine
• Beyond grades: integrating communication skills into the undergraduate curriculum for podiatry students | Discover Education
• Digital reflective practice among new graduate nurses - A scoping review. | Nurse Education Today
• Encouraging Meaningful Student Feedback in Nursing Education | Nurse Educator
• Digital learning of clinical skills and its impact on medical students’ academic performance: a systematic review |BMC Med Ed
Professions
Do you want to be more involved with research?
ACHIEVE offers members the opportunity to bring their expertise to the community by assisting other researchers with peer reviewing and mentoring. If this is something you would like to be a part of, click here.
ACHIEVE has six research scholarship sub-groups that focus on different areas of interest in the community. Each group is led by a well-respected and knowledgeable researcher in the HPE community. These groups are:
• Innovations in Clinical Education led by Professor Brian Kelly (UON)
• Assessment & Feedback led by Professor Stuart Wark (UNE)
• Professionalism and Leadership led by Dr Miriam Grotowski (UON)
• Graduate Outcomes led by Professor Katie Wynne (UON)
• Interprofessional Learning and Wellbeing led by Ms Simone Perry (UON)
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse led by Dr Felista Mwangi (UON) and Dr Judith Byaruhanga (UON)
We encourage all members to join in on these research initiatives. If you are interested, please fill out this form.
Upcoming Events
ACHIEVE
Events in 2025
ACHIEVE is excited to bring you an informative and engaging range of sessions in 2025 covering topics from interprofessional collaboration to formative assessment to student journeys through health professions education. These events will vary in format between seminars, workshops and panel discussions – something for everyone! Please see below for more details on the upcoming sessions:
Wednesday May 7, 2025 4-5PM | Interprofessional Collaboration in the Workplace panel discussion with Dr Sally Bristow (UNE), Dr Hemal Patel (UON), Dr Shep Chidarikire (UON), A/Prof Ian Heslop (UON), Mr Liam Jobson (CCLHD), Mr Graham Andrews (CCLHD)
Wednesday June 4, 2025 12-1PM | Question and Answer with the Research Ethics Experts presented by Dr Indu Gunarathne (UNE) and Dr Jodie Marquez (UON)
Wednesday July 2, 2025 12-1PM | Students Never Engage with Formative Assessment – Fake News! presented by Prof Darrell Evans (UON)
Wednesday August 6, 2025 12-1PM | Near-Peer Teaching: A Tool for Empowering Students and Building Learning Communities presented by Dr Ben Reardon (UON)
Wednesday September 3, 2025 12-1PM | The Power of Partnership: Showcasing Outcomes of ACHIEVE’s Research Subgroups presented by Prof Brian Kelly (UON), Prof Stuart Wark (UNE), A/Prof Katie Wynne (UON), Ms Simone Perry (UON), Dr Miriam Grotowski (UONDRH)
Wednesday October 1, 2025 12-1PM | From Learning to Leading: Medical Students' Impact Through HPE Pathway Placements presenters TBC
In addition to these sessions, ACHIEVE will be hosting our annual symposium on Friday October 24, 2025 from 9AM-1:30PM at the QBuilding, Newcastle. More information about this event will be available soon.
May 3 | The Association for the Study of Medical Education 2025
May 7 | ACHIEVE SEEK Panel Discussion
May 18-21 | 10th International Clinical Skills Conference
May 25-28 | WFME World Conference 2025 June June 4 | ACHIEVE SEEK Session
June 18-20 | 20th National Nurse Education Conference
June 30 – July 3 | ANZAHPE 2025
1 | ACHIEVE SEEK Session
October 24 | ACHIEVE Symposium 2025
Get Involved with ACHIEVE
Is there anything else you would like to be mentioned about your sub-group in the newsletter?
As a Staff Member
Staff members who would like to join ACHIEVE will find many benefits in being a part of this network such as:
• Collaborative Research Opportunities: Connect with researchers, educators, and practitioners across diverse health disciplines to collaborate on ground-breaking research and scholarship projects that drive innovation in health professions education.
• Innovative Training Programs: Engage in cutting-edge training programs and workshops designed to enhance your knowledge, skills, and teaching methodologies, empowering you to deliver highquality education to future health professionals.
• Networking Events: Attend regular networking events, conferences and symposia to connect with professionals from diverse backgrounds, fostering meaningful relationships, and expanding your professional network.
• Leadership Development: Access leadership programs and mentorship opportunities, empowering you to take on influential roles in shaping the future of health professions education and practice.
• Funding Support: Gain access to funding opportunities, grants, and scholarships for research projects, professional development and training initiatives.
• Online Community: Utilise our user-friendly online platform, featuring discussion forums, resource libraries and collaboration tools, enabling seamless communication and information sharing among members.
As a Student
Study Options
• Academy of Clinical Educators Certificate
• GP Certificate
• QuAlity
• Post-Graduate Certifications and Degrees
There are many avenues for students to be involved with ACHIEVE through the different study options that will be available.
Study opportunities such as the Academy of Clinical Educators and GP Certificates are currently available for prospective students, and we encourage anyone interested to contact us here for more information.
Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming Health Professions Education Post-Graduate certifications and degrees that will be available through the University of Newcastle
Work-Integrated Learning opportunities also exist for Marketing and Communications students to work with ACHIEVE in creating and distributing marketing materials There are also opportunities to be involved in event management with ACHIEVE for interested students.
(02) 4042 0667
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/research/centre/achieve
ACHIEVE Team
Director of ACHIEVE – Professor Bunmi Malau-Aduli
Interim Head of School and Dean of JMP – Professor Katie Wynne
Administration – Mr Kelsey Wheaton
Strategic Planning Committee
Lead – Professor Bunmi Malau-Aduli
Members – Professor Katie Wynne, Professor Brian Kelly, Professor Kichu Nair, Professor Michelle Guppy, Professor Stuart Wark
Communication Committee
Lead – Professor Darrell Evans
Members – Dr Tanmay Bagade, Dr Susan Heaney, Ms Linda Grose, Dr Felista Mwangi
Research & Scholarship Committee
Innovations in Clinical Education
Lead – Professor Brian Kelly
Co-leads – Professor Kichu Nair, Dr Karma Tenzin
Assessment and Feedback
Lead – Professor Stuart Wark
Co-leads – Associate Professor Graeme Horton, Associate Professor Sally Bristow
Professionalism and Leadership
Lead – Dr Miriam Grotowski
Co-lead – Dr Penelope Fotheringham
Graduate Outcomes
Lead – Professor Katie Wynne
Co-leads – Dr Julie Burrows, Professor Michelle Guppy, Associate Professor Marita Lynagh
Interprofessional Learning
Lead – Ms Simone Perry
Co-leads – Dr Gary Crowfoot, Ms Joanne Walters, Dr Hemal Patel
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
Leads – Dr Felista Mwangi, Dr Judith Byaruhanga
Co-lead – Dr Frank Baffour