Justin Beilby to succeed Derek Frewin

Professor Justin Beilby
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Tuesday, 18 January 2005

Professor Justin Beilby, currently Head of the Department of General Practice and Rural Health at the University of Adelaide, will succeed the retiring Professor Derek Frewin AO on July 1 as the University's Executive Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences.

In announcing the appointment, Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha said Professor Beilby's outstanding background and experience made him an ideal candidate.

"He has worked extensively with the National Health Medical Research Council, Commonwealth and State Governments and general practices and divisions of general practice, in research, strategic and workforce planning," Professor McWha said.

"Professor Beilby is a member of the Clinical Senate for South Australian Department of Health and has been Chair of the National Evaluation Committee of the National Prescribing Service.

"As Associate Dean (Rural) for the Faculty of Health Sciences, he has overseen the establishment of the very successful rural medical student educational programs. He is still in active general practice," he said.

Professor Beilby said he was very excited by the position. "To be appointed Executive Dean for such a diverse and multidisciplinary academic Faculty was a privilege. The Faculty already has an impressive research and teaching record with excellent academic programs," he said.

Professor Beilby believes that the Faculty has enormous potential to be an active and creative partner with the South Australian Department of Health in workforce planning and development and within the reforms currently underway following the recent Generational Health Review.

"The recent expansion of the Dental School and the increasing international links are all positive steps. Fostering the continuing growth in international and higher degree students will be one of my initial priorities," he said.

Professor Beilby is a University of Adelaide graduate receiving his MBBS in 1980, a Masters of Public Health in 1991 and MD in 1999. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

Professor McWha both praised and thanked Professor Frewin for his 39-year service to the University of Adelaide.

"Professor Frewin has made an enormous contribution since joining the University in 1966 as a Postgraduate Research Fellow.

"Since assuming the role of Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in 1991 and Executive Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences in 1996, the University has made considerable strides under his leadership," Professor McWha said.

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