Southern Cross University has appointed a new Head of School of Health and Human Sciences to replace the long-serving head Iain Graham. Arriving amidst the COVID-19 lock-down in the UK, where she was based at the University of Hull, Professor Julie Jomeen is now safely in the Northern Rivers and ready to take on the multi-campus role in Lismore, Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast.
Professor Jomeen is a distinguished researcher and an experienced Dean, as well as a mother of two children. Her daughter has accompanied her and her son will join them when the travel restrictions have eased.
"Things back home were just starting to move into crisis stage with COVID-19 when we left. And it was strange when we got to Australia - it was straight into lockdown. Two weeks of isolation was not what I expected, but it was understandable.
"It is very difficult at home; I keep in touch regularly with family and friends."
Professor Jomeen praised the Northern NSW Local Health District's proactive approach to COVID-19, emphasising the important role of frontline health workers.
"I felt a sense of safety and stability in Australia compared to the UK," she said.
"It has been a surreal start to this role, however every crisis creates an opportunity and the importance of the healthcare workforce has never been more dominant than it is right now on the front lines. This demonstrates the value of university health research and industry-ready graduates to ensure the best possible workforce for delivering the best possible care.
"The vision of our school is to strengthen relationships and partnerships within our health districts and the broader healthcare sector, to be part of healthcare workforce solutions and give students excellent placement experiences."
Professor Jomeen's passion for delivering the best outcomes for health professions comes from her extensive clinical experience as a nurse and midwife as well as leadership roles as Dean of Health and Social Care and Dean of Health Sciences, incorporating sports health and exercise science, psychology and biomedical science.
