Regional healthcare champion recognised at Rockhampton graduation ceremony
Esteemed medical leader and champion of regional healthcare, Professor Alan Sandford AM, has been recognised with CQUniversity’s highest honorary award, and named a Doctor of the University at the recent Rockhampton graduation ceremony.
Professor Sandford is a highly regarded and experienced specialist medical leader, and an executive in medical and health administration.
He has worked and consulted in a wide variety of posts across all states of Australia, with state and Commonwealth governments, and internationally in the Middle East.
In recent years Professor Sandford’s passion has seen him focusing on improving rural and regional health outcomes, and is currently inspired being a part of this new initiative as the Director, Regional Medical Pathway – Central Queensland and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services.
As part of this role, Professor Sandford has been instrumental in developing and driving the Regional Medical Pathway – a unique partnership between CQUniversity, University of Queensland, the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services, and the Queensland Chief Medical Officer.
Established in 2021, the pathway allows up to 60 students per year to complete their entire medical studies in regional Queensland. Students complete a three-year Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) course with CQUniversity, before moving into UQ’s four-year MD program, with both education programs delivered locally in Bundaberg and Rockhampton.
As part of the partnership, the Hospital and Health Services support students by curating their career opportunities, from internship opportunities to postgraduate specialist training places, within their regional footprints.
This nationally recognised model, originally developed for the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Regions, is now also being applied to the Darling Downs and Southwest Queensland Regions, helping to ensure regional Queensland has a strong emerging medical workforce.
Professor Sandford said he was humbled to be recognised by CQUniversity and commends his team and everyone involved in making the Regional Medical Pathway a success.
“Receiving this award is extremely humbling, especially since there have been countless people from all four partner organisations who have worked together seamlessly to make this initiative a success.
“It has been a privilege to work with everyone and to witness students enter the pathway and aspire to a career in rural and regional medical practice,” said Professor Sandford.
Professor Sandford also paraphrased Issac Newton saying: “If I have been able to see further than others it is by standing on the shoulders of those working with me”.
The honour was also made even more special, by sharing the day and graduation stage with the first cohort of students to enter the Regional Medical Pathway, who graduated from the CQUniversity pathway with a Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine).
“To receive this honour and to be able to share in the day with the first cohort of students to enter the pathway is really special.
“It has been a remarkable experience to be involved with these students throughout their journey, from being involved in their pre-admission interviews, welcoming them on their first day, and now witnessing them graduate.
“I am very much looking forward to watching the pathway’s continual growth and also witnessing our graduates enter our local medical workforce four years from now.”
“It has been a remarkable experience to be involved with these students throughout their journey, from being involved in their pre-admission interviews, welcoming them on their first day, and now witnessing them graduate." - Professor Alan Sandford AM
