GP appointed Dean of Medicine at UWA

Associate Professor Helen Wilcox has become the first GP to be appointed Dean of Medicine at the
University of Western Australia (UWA).
 
The practicing GP, who has been serving as the Interim Dean and Head of School at UWA’s Medical School since January, has a background as a medical educator and academic.
 
Associate Professor Wilcox is also widely known as a passionate advocate for doctors’ mental health and wellbeing, holding the position of Medical Director of the Doctors’ Health Advisory Service in WA since March 2022.
 
She has also published research on medical student education and welfare.
 
RACGP Vice President and WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman extended her congratulations to the Associate Professor, noting the importance of having a GP in the prestigious position.
 
‘On behalf of the college, I’d like to congratulate Helen,’ she said.
 
‘This is an excellent appointment by UWA and recognises her contributions as a highly qualified GP, academic, teacher, and leader. 
 
‘To have someone like Helen become a Dean of Medicine is not only a first but reflects a growing awareness of the central role good general practice plays in an effective health system.’  
 
As part of her background in medical education, Associate Professor Wilcox was previously a senior lecturer at the University of Notre Dame Australia’s School of Medicine and also played a key role in GP training as RACGP WA Censor from 2007–20.
 
In addition to her newly appointed role as Dean, she will be continuing to work fractionally as a GP at Shenton Park General Practice in Perth. 
 
Dr Raman acknowledged the particular significance of having a GP appointed as Dean of the Medical School at UWA, which she noted makes ‘an important contribution to Australia’s primary care workforce’.
 
‘Helen’s appointment as Dean demonstrates to a new generation of medical students the breadth of what you can achieve in general practice,’ she said. 
 
‘We look forward to continuing our great work with UWA in shaping the future of GPs in WA and beyond.’
 
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