Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) Director of Child and Adolescent Health Dr Stephan Reid has been appointed to the role of Clinical Dean at James Cook University.
As the senior academic and administrative leader responsible for overseeing the university's medical education, research, and clinical training partnerships, Dr Reid will provide the interface between Mackay HHS executive including clinical directors and department heads, the James Cook University College of Medicine and Dentistry, private medical providers and Queensland Health.
Mackay HHS Chief Medical Officer Dr Charles Pain said Dr Reid was a highly respected clinician and leader who understood both the realities of frontline care and the responsibilities of teaching and mentorship.
“I warmly congratulate Dr Stephan Reid on his appointment as Clinical Dean with James Cook University,” he said.
“This is an important role for our region and a strong endorsement of Stephan’s clinical leadership and commitment to educating the doctors of the future.
“His appointment as Clinical Dean further strengthens the close partnership between Mackay Hospital and Health Service and James Cook University.”
The Clinical Dean role is a vital part of the Regional Training Hub initiative and coordinates, promotes and integrates medical training across the continuum of medical undergraduate, junior doctor and registrar training within the Greater Whitsunday region.
Dr Reid would provide leadership and advocacy for training and work towards shared aims of retention of medical graduates in the region ensuring sustainability of local services to meet the healthcare needs of the community.
It was a pivotal role, Dr Pain said, ensuring medical students received high-quality clinical training within the hospital and community settings as evidence consistently showed that clinicians were more likely to practise in regions where they trained.
“This appointment positions the Mackay HHS well to continue attracting and retaining talented doctors who chose to build their careers and their lives in regional Queensland,” he said.
“For regional health services, this is not simply an academic function, it is central to building a sustainable workforce for the future.
“By providing excellent supervision, strong professional role models and a positive clinical learning environment, we strengthen our pipeline from medical student to intern, registrar and specialist.
“We look forward to working closely with him in this important role.”
Dr Reid stepped into the role of Clinical Director Child and Adolescent Health at Mackay HHS in January 2024.
He is passionate about the education of medical students, junior doctors as well as paediatric basic and advanced trainees.
Dr Reid has spent most of his professional career living and working in regional areas and has developed a deep appreciation for the benefits a regional lifestyle has to offer, not only professionally, but also in general.
“Mackay is a wonderful place to live and work,” Dr Reid said.
“You have the opportunity to have a meaningful career in a thriving regional town and you have the privilege of living in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.
“I’m looking forward to working with the teams from the Mackay HHS and James Cook University, and hope to contribute to building both as centres of excellence in our region.”
Dr Reid was born in South Africa and completed his primary medical degree at the University of Pretoria School of Medicine. He had an early interest in paediatrics and completed his paediatric training at the University of the Free State in 2010. He relocated to Australia with his family in 2018.