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with a focus on rural health priorities, health workforce, and service delivery and with a strong commitment to human rights and social justice.

The Faculty of Medicine and Health has been established to ensure UNE is best placed to prepare students for the world ahead. Health is a growing and rapidly changing sector. New preventive approaches, new technologies, new diagnostic tests and curative procedures are reshaping the way we think about Medicine. Student health professionals are entering a field that is opening up before them. The Faculty offers courses, training, and research opportunities in a full range of scientific and clinical disciplines, including Community Services, Counselling, Health Management, Medicine, Mental Health Practice, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology and Social Work

Visit our website, at: https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/faculty-of-medicine-and-health

Or follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HealthUNE

20/10/2026

From a nursing student at the University of New England to a history-making national leader, Dr Olivia Tierney (PhD)’s journey is an inspiring story of dedication, curiosity and a commitment to improving care for women and families.

UNE alumna Dr Tierney has been appointed Australia’s first Commonwealth Chief Midwife, creating a dedicated national voice for midwifery and an important milestone for the profession.

When Dr Tierney left her hometown of Woolgoolga to study a Bachelor of Nursing at UNE in the late 1990s, she remembers the university’s strong reputation for nursing education and the pride associated with being a UNE student. Nearly three decades later, her career spans clinical practice, education, leadership, research and health policy.

Now, she is bringing that experience to the national stage, advocating for midwives to work to their full scope of practice so more women and families can access the care they need.

Her advice to the next generation of nurses and midwives reflects the journey that brought her here: “Follow your hopes. What your heart's telling you to do, where you want to be, follow that and trust it. Say yes to opportunities when they come. Be curious.”

We are proud to celebrate Dr Tierney’s remarkable achievement and the contribution she is making to the future of midwifery in Australia.

Read her story to discover how her time at UNE helped shape a career dedicated to supporting women, families and the midwifery profession: https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/news-and-events/news/2026/10/une-alumna-makes-history-as-australias-first-commonwealth-chief-midwife/_nocache

Congratulations, Dr Tierney! 👏💚

16/10/2026

Have words like trauma, bullying, anxiety and depression started to mean something different than they used to?

What if expanding definitions of harm are changing how we experience distress, and even shaping the mental health conversation?

Professor Nick Haslam calls this concept creep, and he is coming to Armidale for the Inaugural Warwick Olphert Memorial Lecture to unpack what it means for all of us.

Full story and event details: https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/news-and-events/news/2026/10/when-the-language-of-harm-changes-so-does-the-way-we-live

Event details: Tuesday 27 October, 5:30pmIn person at UNE SRI Nova Centre, 122 Faulkner St, Armidale or online via Zoom

Reception with light snacks provided

14/10/2026

Too often, “lived experience” is invited in, then sidelined. UNE’s Rural Compass project is doing it differently, with Penny Dutton and Michael Parker appointed as paid co-researchers (supported by Miranda Vanry) and involved at every stage of this five-year MRFF-funded study.

The goal is simple and urgent: better understand the barriers older rural people with intellectual disability face when accessing healthcare, so the solutions are practical, relevant, and genuinely informed by lived experience.

The full story: https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/news-and-events/news/2026/10/walking-the-talk

*******

If you are aged 40+, live in rural Australia, and have an intellectual disability, complete the online Rural Compass survey now: https://redcap.link/ruralcompass carers, family members, friends, and support workers can also respond as a proxy or help someone to complete it

Please share this post with your networks so the right voices are heard.

12/10/2026

Some of our CRAZY Trimester 3 Offerings | You won't BELIEVE what units YOU could be studying this tri!!

07/10/2026

This Mental Health Month, with the theme "Together We Thrive," Manna Institute are hosting a webinar - An Industry PhD Experience: Researcher and Supervisor Perspectives.

Join Bess Jackson (PhD student) and her industry supervisor Shelley Ball (StandBy Support After Su***de / Youturn) as they share their experience of collaborating across research and practice within an industry PhD. They'll reflect on the challenges, benefits, and learnings of this partnership approach. Moderated by Dr Tara Lal.

Registration link here: https://une-au.zoom.us/meeting/register/okuQgFxoSZCkBXfEfUDKSw #/registration

06/10/2026

𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: want a placement where you are known, supported, and genuinely hands-on?

In the Moree Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC), you can work across general practice, emergency medicine, and the acute inpatient unit, with the kind of continuity of care that builds real clinical confidence. You might see a patient in GP, follow them to ED, support their admission, then review them back in the community.

And in Moree, there are only two medical students in the hospital, which means more opportunities to lean in and learn, including retrievals, surgical emergencies, and births.

“𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦." Dr Maelle Morgan, GP VMO and LIC Supervisor (Moree)

Read Dr Morgan’s story and get a feel for what LIC life can look like in Moree, then head to the LIC page to explore eligibility and how to apply: https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/news-and-events/news/2026/09/meet-lic-supervisor-dr-maelle-morgan

01/10/2026

Nursing students, are you placement fit? 🩺💚

Clinical placement is one of the best parts of your nursing journey at UNE, but you need to be prepared BEFORE you get there!

You must complete compliance across 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 by 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟴 of your first trimester:

✅ 𝗡𝗦𝗪 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁
✅ 𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗜𝗻𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲

And here is the most important thing: 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝟮𝟭 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. Submit everything by 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟱 so you are not caught out!

Swipe through for everything you need to know 👉

Struggling? Contact the PEP team on 𝟬𝟮 𝟲𝟳𝟳𝟯 𝟰𝟯𝟴𝟴 or via 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗨𝗡𝗘.

Don't stress, don't pay twice, get placement fit and have a great time! 💚

30/09/2026

From online study to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)… as UNE Bachelor of Science student Jaimie Duffy has learnt, it's always worth shooting for the stars! 💫

Jaimie has just begun a 10-week placement at NASA's JPL in the United States after being one of six students from across Australia selected for Monash University’s 2026 National Indigenous Space Academy.

While there, Jaimie will be paired with a mentor to work on projects and contribute to current research and missions, including work involving ocean exploration vehicles and research into microorganisms aboard the International Space Station.

“I never imagined studying science would take me from an online degree in Australia to researching at JPL,” Jaimie said.

“I’m most excited to be surrounded by people working on questions that sound almost impossible. I’m here to learn from the best, challenge myself and see just how far science can take me.”

Alongside her studies, she has spent more than three years working in community pharmacy, developing an interest in the ways science can be translated into real-world improvements in health.

At JPL, Jaimie will bring those interests into an entirely new environment, undertaking research in astrovirology and exploring how microorganisms behave under conditions relevant to space exploration.

For Jaimie, the opportunity also carries significance as a young Indigenous scientist.

“Being selected as a Wiradjuri woman is something I’m incredibly proud of,” she said.

“I hope sharing opportunities like this encourages other students to be curious and to put themselves forward for things they might never have imagined were possible.”

Read more about Jaimie's incredible achievement via the link in the comments. 🔗

28/09/2026

Former marketing manager and now social work student Lucinda Bawden was barely eight days into her three-month international placement when a glacial collapse and flash flooding produced one of Nepal’s worst natural disasters.

Now she finds herself learning about humanitarian aid in real time and reflecting on the value of her UNE Masters qualification.

“I think everybody should have to study some social work because it gives you such a valuable insight into peoples’ lived experiences and the systems of power that create injustice. I’ve loved every second of the degree at UNE – the people I’ve met, the things we’ve learned and the deep level of self-reflection it requires you to do.”

Now Lucinda’s putting theory into practice in a country beset by tragedy. Read more: https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/news-and-events/news/2026/09/real-world-education-in-real-time

27/09/2026

From documentary editor to school psychologist, Danielle Akayan’s story shows how storytelling skills can become powerful tools for early intervention in schools.

After years working in film and television, Danielle retrained in psychology and added UNE’s Graduate Certificate in School Psychology, building practical skills for school settings that support neurodivergent students through inclusive, team-based approaches.

“Some kids may only ever see a psychologist at school… Providing good quality service and a positive experience can allow an opportunity for potentially healthier help seeking in the future.”

Read Danielle’s journey, and if you’re ready to make a real difference for young people, explore the Graduate Certificate in School Psychology and how to apply: https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/news-and-events/news/2026/06/danielle-akayan-storytelling-early-intervention-and-a-different-kind-of-editing-suite

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Madgwick Drive
Armidale, NSW
2351

Website

https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/faculty-of-medicine-and-health

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