At the wonderful launch of the 2020 ANZAHPE ONLINE program, Professor Gary Rogers FANZAHPE, outgoing Chair of the ANZAHPE Fellowship Scheme, welcomed our new Fellows and Associate Fellows for 2019/2020 to the Fellowship community, and introduced myself as the newly appointed Chair of the Fellowship Scheme. I am honoured to receive the support of the ANZHAPE Committee of Management to take up this role. On behalf of the fellowship scheme membership I congratulate Gary for his contribution as the inaugural Chair and instigator of the Fellowship Scheme. We are delighted that Gary will continue to contribute as a member of the Fellowship Committee. I am guided by Gary’s vision for the Fellowship Scheme as means for recognition of health professional education (HPE) as a professional discipline and career path, as well as a means of hosting an interactive community of mentors able to foster the growth of individuals in the discipline of HPE.  

A big thank you to the 20 Fellows and Associate Fellows who volunteered to facilitate the successful Launch event online breakout groups which explored ways in which ANZAHPE can support professional development for its members. This was a collaboration with the ANZAHPE 2020 organising group and Joy Rudland, as the lead for professional development on the ANZAHPE Committee of Management. The many good suggestions that came from these discussion have been collated and will provide a basis for ongoing planning by the newly formed professional development group. As part of this group, and Chair of the Fellowship Committee, I was interested to see a desire for a more formal mentorship program. This will be a task to focus on, so I will keep you updated. 

Lastly, can I encourage ANZAHPE members to apply for Associate Fellowship or Fellowship. Details can be found here.

Best wishes,
Julie Ash, FANZAHPE