A medical educator and academic has become the first GP to be appointed Dean and Head of the Medical School at The University of Western Australia.
Associate Professor Helen Wilcox, who has been serving as Interim Dean and Head of School since January, is known as an advocate for doctors’ mental health and wellbeing and has published research on medical student education and welfare.
The Perth-raised GP and UWA graduate is the director of the Doctor of Medicine program at the University, and an active researcher in general practice, medical education and doctor’s health.
“I was honoured to be offered the position and look forward to help train the next generation of medical practitioners and build on the University’s research opportunities to benefit the health of Australian and international communities,” Associate Professor Wilcox said.
Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Colmer congratulated Associate Professor Wilcox on the appointment, which follows on from her position as Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching.
“Helen has strong leadership qualities, vision, teamwork and organisational skills to implement changes as well experience in course accreditation and teaching and learning,” Professor Colmer said.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Helen to build further on her successful period as interim Dean and Head of the UWA Medical School.
“I would also like to thank Professor Brendan McQuillan for leadership of the UWA Medical School for the past several years.
“He has made substantial contributions to the School and more widely to the University and will continue as a teaching and research academic, lead development of a transnational initiative, and continue his clinical work with Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.”
Since 2022, Associate Professor Wilcox has held the position of Medical Director of the Doctors’ Health Advisory Service in WA and provides advocacy for the profession through her ongoing position on the Australian Medical Association (WA) Council.
In addition to her new role as Dean, she will continue to work as a GP at Shenton Park General Practice in Perth where she champions children’s and women’s health, cancer, palliative care and doctors’ health.