Updates from the Department

Welcomes and Farewells

We farewelled two of our 2016 Academic GP Registrars at the beginning of 2017 – many thanks to Drs Yasin Shahab and Thomas Fung who were greatly valued members of our Department in 2016. Dr Alison Lyon enjoyed her time with us so much that she applied to stay on for a second academic term. Ally is researching the experience and understanding of Assyrian refugee women concerning cervical screening. We are also thrilled to welcome our first Western Sydney University graduate academic registrar to the team. Dr David Cosgriff is exploring the experience of people with chronic illnesses who attend more than one general practitioner.

As always the enthusiasm and exam honed clinical expertise of our academic registrars brings a breath of fresh air to our Department and our students greatly enjoy their teaching.

Dr Christine Metusela joined our research team at the start of 2017 and is working on patient centred medical home research we are undertaking in partnership with WentWest as well as research funded by Nepean Blue Mountains PHN evaluating cancer prevention initiatives in that area.

With the commencement of our new NHMRC funded clinical trial looking at treatment with nasal balloon inflation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with otitis media with effusion, we are pleased to welcome Dr Jessica Armstrong, who will be working with Robyn Walsh on this important trial. Vicki Bradley will also be working with the team two days a week. Samantha Wagner has recently started as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research administration cadet and is being ably supervised by Nicole King who leads our trials administration.