A Milestone Week in Ballarat: MD Program Receives Formal Academic Approval

From 11 to 15 May, several members of the NewMed team enjoyed a highly productive multi-day visit to Federation University’s Mt. Helen campus. The purpose of the visit was to advance the operational and structural integration of NewMed becoming the Federation University School of Medicine.

Throughout the week, the joint teams engaged in intensive, collaborative workshops. These sessions were specifically directed at refining the integrated delivery and service offering, and shaping our comprehensive student support systems ready to go from day one.

 

The highlight of the week occurred on 12 May, when the Federation University Academic Board successfully completed its rigorous course approval processes and formally approved the ND9 MD Program. This academic milestone is a major step forward as we work toward delivering a contemporary, evidence based medical curriculum designed to meet the unique healthcare needs of Australian communities.

AMC Accreditation Workshop and Visit Dates Confirmed

On May 13, Prof. Stephen Tobin, alongside Prof. James Fraser, Prof. Hayder Al-Abuidy, and Dr. Rachelle Levi attended a highly collaborative Australian Medical Council (AMC) accreditation workshop in Melbourne.

The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to share insights and establish benchmarks alongside representatives from other medical programs across Australia, including the University of Newcastle Joint Medical Program (JMP) with the University of New England, and Curtin University Medical School. Engaging with peers running successful distributed and regional clinical training models reinforces our shared goal of medical school programs, including outside of major metropolitan centres.

Following the workshop, the official accreditation dates and panel team members for the Federation University School of Medicine evaluation were formally confirmed. With our comprehensive AMC Stage 2 submission currently under active review by the AMC and the appointed accreditation team, we are fully focused on preparations and look forward to welcoming the panel for the site visits in early August 2026.

Beyond the Numbers: Understanding Holistic Selection for Postgraduate Medical School

Are you applying to an Australian postgraduate medical school? Be prepared for a comprehensive, holistic selection process that looks far beyond academic transcripts. Medical programs are seeking well-rounded candidates who demonstrate not only intellectual capacity but also the personal qualities essential for a successful career in medicine.

Your GPA and GAMSAT scores provide the foundational academic benchmarks, confirming your ability to handle the rigours of medical training. However, the true holistic assessment begins with your Personal Statements and Portfolio evidence.  This is your chance to articulate your motivations, experiences, and understanding of the profession, revealing your commitment and empathy for people and communities. Your views and achievements can be explored at interviews, including Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) that also evaluate essential attributes like communication, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning through scenario-based assessments.

Ultimately, holistic selection ensures that successful applicants possess the right balance of scholarly excellence and critical interpersonal skills, demonstrating suitability to be a medical student. By completion of medical programs, this ensures the future medical workforce is capable and compassionate.

NewMed and GPSA Partner to Strengthen Clinical Supervision for the Future of General Practice

NewMed is pleased to announce a significant collaboration with GP Supervisors Australia (GPSA) aimed at supporting our GP educators through the joint development of a series of resources enhancing the quality and sustainability of clinical supervision across the country. This partnership underscores our commitment to a medical education model that prioritises primary care and the vital role of General Practitioners and Rural Generalists.

This collaboration aligns with the recently released NCPCD Joint Statement on Clinical Supervision, which outlines a unified vision for supporting the supervisors who mentor the next generation of Australian doctors.

A Message from our CEO

“NewMed is proud to be working with GPSA to elevate the standards of medical education in the community,” says the CEO of NewMed. “We recognise the fundamental importance of clinical supervision of medical students, especially by GPs and Rural Generalists, who provide the backbone of our healthcare system. To support this, NewMed will provide specific training and resources for our partner GPs to ensure they are well-equipped to guide our students through their clinical journeys.”

Strengthening Supervision Australia-Wide

Our GP Lead Dr Natasha Yates highlights that this partnership’s impact extends beyond our own program: “We are working in collaboration with GP Supervisors Australia (GPSA) to develop materials that will strengthen GP supervision of medical students. This effort is intended to support supervisors in Australia across the board.”

About the NewMed MD Program

In partnership with Federation University Australia, NewMed is currently on an accreditation pathway with the Australian Medical Council.  While our curriculum is designed to set students up to follow any career path, we maintain considerable focus on Whole Person Care and Generalism. Our innovative model integrates advanced technology with extensive supervised clinical experience, primarily situated in General Practice for the first three years.

Please note: The MD program is not yet operational, and applications cannot be accepted at this stage.

Exploring the Future of Regional Medicine: Board Chair, CEO & Dean Featured on ASSA Podcast

How do we shift the paradigm of medical education away from the traditional, urban hospital based approach to address Australia’s critical regional workforce demands?

Our Chair of the Board, Emeritus Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld AC, and CEO & Dean, Professor Stephen Tobin, recently sat down with two members of the Australalisan Students’ Surgical Association (ASSA) to explore this very question.

In the newly released podcast episode, Emeritus Professor Rosenfeld and Professor Tobin share their distinct personal journeys through medicine and surgery, reflecting on the experiences that shaped their clinical careers. The conversation delves into the educational philosophy behind the novel NewMed MD program and its exciting transition into the Federation University School of Medicine. They discuss how a contemporary curriculum grounded in primary care, longitudinal community placements, and advanced technologies will equip a new generation of doctors to practice exactly where they are needed most.

The podcast is now publicly available. You can listen to the full discussion and explore the vision behind our program here :Australalisan Students’ Surgical Association Podcast Episode.

Milestone Update: AMC Progress, Program Preparations and Team Growth

AMC Accreditation and Key Timelines

In a significant step forward for our program, the Stage 2 submission to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) has been successfully completed. Following a productive meeting between representatives from Federation University and NewMed, the AMC has confirmed an accreditation visit scheduled for the first weeks of August 2026. Importantly, subject to a positive accreditation decision, the School of Medicine plans to officially commence teaching in early 2027.

Refining the Program: Recent Workshops

The NewMed team has been engaged in a rigorous schedule of workshops to ensure the program is ready for delivery:

  • February Workshop: The team met for three days to workshop our transition into the School of Medicine. This included refining our messaging, preparing for the upcoming AMC visit, and reviewing the program as delivered on our Learning Management System (LMS). Key discussions focused on community engagement and assessment management systems, alongside activities such as Journal Club and small group sessions.
  • April Workshop: This month, the team will meet again to further refine the program.

Internal mock delivery of learning activities has commenced and been received well. Work continues on the development of our clinical clusters and workforce planning for 2027, while the formal Course Approval process by Federation University remains underway, with the Curriculum Committee meeting occurring this month.

Our Growing Team

We are delighted to welcome two new members to our team during this exciting phase. Our new Director of Student Affairs and Community Engagement Officer will both commence in their roles in April.

A Significant Step Forward: NewMed and Federation University Invited for Stage 2 AMC Assessment

We are pleased to announce that the Australian Medical Council (AMC) has invited NewMed and Federation University Australia to submit our MD Program for Stage 2 assessment. This invitation marks a major milestone in our journey toward training the next generation of doctors for Australia’s regional and rural communities.

This Stage 2 submission will be provided in early February.

The Federation University partnership continues to grow stronger as we progress with operational arrangements required to deliver the MD program. We look forward to welcoming the AMC assessment team later in the year and remain focused on our goal of launching our inaugural cohort in 2027.

AIDA Conference 2025: Evoking Sovereignty, Honouring Country

While AMEE provided a global outlook, the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) 2025 conference grounded us in the vital local context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Held on the traditional lands of the Gadigal peoples of the Eora Nation in Sydney, the conference theme was Evoking Sovereignty, Honouring Country & Nurturing Community.

Our team joined incredible First Nations leaders and doctors gathering together from various medical disciplines, along with First Nations medical students studying across the country. The resounding call to action was clear: we must work towards genuine Indigenous sovereignty within healthcare and healthcare systems.

Our First Nations Health Lead, Dr. Narawi Foley Boscott, took the stage in the high-energy Quick & Deadly session, a strict format allowing just 20 seconds per slide for 20 slides. Dr. Foley Boscott presented passionately on her experiences within specialist training and her work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Hospital Liaison Officers (HLOs) to educate PGY1 doctors.

Key takeaways from her presentation included:

  • The Value of HLOs: Emphasising the incredible knowledge resource HLOs provide. Junior doctors have a unique opportunity to learn about First Nations perspectives on health directly from HLOs, improving communication and cultural safety.

  • Broadening Career Horizons: Dr. Foley Boscott advocated for Indigenous doctors to forge careers that are not strictly confined to existing specialty training structures. She championed incorporating First Nations knowledge systems to create a future where all Indigenous people thrive.

The event culminated in a spectacular Gala Dinner at Luna Park. A highlight was witnessing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander doctors receiving their painted stethoscopes, a rite of passage for those graduating medical school or completing fellowship training.

It was an inspiring glimpse into the future for NewMed. We look forward to the day our own Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander medical students reach this milestone, having their achievements recognised by AIDA and holding their own painted stethoscopes.

November 2025 All Staff Workshop & Looking Ahead to 2026

November 2025 All Staff Workshop

In late November, the NewMed faculty and professional staff gathered for two intensive days of workshops and focused curriculum group work. It was a time to align our strategies, refine our tools, and celebrate the immense amount of curriculum development completed in 2025.

Partnership and Vision

The workshop commenced with leaders from Federation University joining us online to discuss our partnership for the delivery of the MD program. There is a palpable sense of excitement about what this partnership offers and the future opportunities it will create for our students, the university and national communities.

Deep Dives: Curriculum & Clinical Reasoning

As is the NewMed way, these were collaborative days featuring deep exploration of critical topics. The team delved into Whole Person Care in General Practice, operationalising the NewMed Feedback philosophy, and mapping Clinical Reasoning across the entire program.

Innovation in Delivery

Our IT and Learning Design team provided a demonstration of the program within Moodle, showcasing options to make the platform even more interactive and engaging for students. With Year and Stream updates revealing that a significant portion of the curriculum is now complete, the focus is shifting to refining the delivery.

AI & Assessment

The second day turned our attention to the future, describing the integration of AI in the program, followed by an in depth look at assessment mapping and blueprinting. The two days concluded with a celebration of the progress made this year and a festive season dinner, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the entire team.

Looking Ahead to 2026

We are excited for further engagement opportunities with clinical partners and the communities where our students will be placed, establishment of the Federation University Partnership, and progress with AMC accreditation activity coming in 2026.