NEW DEAN FOR AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

OUM Names Associate Professor Athol John Mackay to New Leadership Role

Oceania University of Medicine has appointed Associate Professor Athol John Mackay, RFD BSc MBBS FRACS, as Dean for Australia and New Zealand. Dr. Mackay joined the University in October 2020 as Associate Dean for Surgery in Australia. He has also been the Clinical Core Course Specialist for Surgery and has focused on strengthening the surgical curriculum.

Associate Professor Athol Mackay

In his new role, Associate Professor Mackay will continue to expand relationships with Australia’s and New Zealand’s placement providers to facilitate clinical rotations for OUM students, and work with hospitals to explore internship opportunities for graduates.

Just prior to joining the University, he had retired from General Practice at Kooralbyn Family Practice and Maranoa Medical Centre Roma. He was also Associate Professor at The University of Queensland Rural Clinical School and an Instructor, Clinical Rural Skills Enhancement Course, Cunningham Centre. A former military surgeon in the Australian Defence Force, he has received numerous commendations ranging from the Australian Service Medal, Australian Defence Force Medal, and Australian Reserve Forces Decoration with Clasp, to the Commanders Commendation from the United States Navy.

“Associate Professor Mackay is well credentialed through military and civilian training to assume the ever-increasing administrative workload that the position of Dean for Australia and New Zealand demands,” says Professor Hugh Bartholomeusz, OAM, RFD, MBBS, FRACS, OUM Vice Chancellor.

Associate Professor Mackay’s previous positions have included Chairman, Pediatric Staff Society and Chairman, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Mater Children’s Hospital and Surgical Registrar at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and Royal Children’s Hospital. He was also Director of Medical Services, Roma Health Service District, and Medical Superintendent, Roma Hospital.  Associate Professor Mackay served on the EMST (Australian equivalent of ATLS) committee of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons for nine years and instructed on more than 70 EMST courses in Australia, New Guinea, Fiji, New Zealand, and the United States, including more than 50 as Course Director.

Earning his BSc (Med) in Canada at the University of Saskatchewan, Associate Professor Mackay earned his MBBS from The University of Queensland and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Pediatric Surgery.

(April 2022)