It will be the end of an era at The University of Queensland this week, with the departure of dynamic Faculty of Health Sciences Executive Dean, Professor Peter Brooks.
UQ Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield praised Professor Brooks for his role in shaping health education and research during his 10 years leading the faculty.
"Peter Brooks has achieved an outstanding reputation locally, nationally and internationally for leadership in a range of areas, including initiatives to meet future health workforce needs," Professor Greenfield said.
Under his leadership, the Health Sciences Faculty has developed a vibrant network of young researchers and academics focused on key and emerging fields.
"He has advocated strongly for research development in important areas like telehealth, preventive health, veterans health, Indigenous health, and clinical research to help bring laboratory discoveries more quickly to the patient bedside as treatments," Professor Greenfield said.
"Thanks to Peter’s commitment to improving patient outcomes through effective healthcare teams, UQ is setting a direction for interprofessional education (IPE) in Australia.
"IPE is integrated into the curriculum for all health students at UQ, preparing them to work closely with other health professions when they enter the workforce."
Professor Brooks has been a strong advocate for change in the health sector and is widely known for his readiness to challenge current thinking and practice.
He has been an effective lobbyist on a range of issues, particularly increased government funding for preventive health initiatives to keep people out of hospitals. He has also taken a strong stance on the need for new health professions, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, to improve access to healthcare, particularly for chronic disease treatment and in rural areas.
Professor Brooks will step down from the executive dean role on June 30, 2009. He will continue his links with UQ through his ongoing directorship of the Australian Health Workforce Institute that he established as a partnership between UQ and the University of Melbourne.
Professor Sue Tett will act in the role until January 1, 2010, when Professor Nick Fisk (currently director of the UQ Centre for Clinical Research) will take up the position.
Media inquiries: Faculty Communications Officer, Marlene McKendry - 0401 99 6847.
