Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre

29/04/2026

Congratulations

👏 A local leader is stepping up for Allied Health in our northern region 👏

We’re proud to announce Betty Shibasaki as the new Allied Health Team Leader.

A proud Kulkalgal woman from Masig and Yam Island, Betty has been part of TCHHS since 2017, starting as a physiotherapist on Thursday Island through the Rural Generalist Training Pathway. Since then, she’s delivered care across our communities, with a strong focus on women’s health, paediatrics and improving Indigenous health literacy.

Betty has grown into a respected leader and completed the Indigenous Allied Health Australia Leadership Program in 2024.

Passionate about better health outcomes and “growing our own” workforce, Betty brings both heart and experience to the role.
Congratulations Betty!

14/04/2026

Very true

One size does not fit all when it comes to addressing health challenges in regional, rural and remote communities. Place based research can make a difference. Learn about NHMRC initiatives: https://ow.ly/T78y50YbgJF

14/04/2026

This is great event coming soon

📢 Outback Allied Health Forum 2026 | Abstract Submissions Now Open

🌱 Connecting Across Wide Horizons: Innovate, Adapt & Thrive

OAHF invites clinicians, practitioners, managers, educators, students, and researchers working in rural and remote allied health to share their work at the Outback Allied Health Forum 2026.

Whether you’re new to research or regularly involved in quality improvement as part of your role — your contribution matters. This is your opportunity to showcase ideas, insights and initiatives that strengthen allied health practice in rural and remote areas.

📝 Submissions & Further Information
https://www.crrh.jcu.edu.au/conferences/outback-allied-health-forum/outback-allied-health-forum-2026/

📅 Abstract Submission Period
Monday 13 April – Sunday 10 May, 2026

Let’s connect, share, and shape the future of allied health across the outback.

13/04/2026

As part of the activities surrounding the Outback Allied Health Forum 2026, we are pleased to invite you to a dedicated Planning and Undertaking Research Workshop.

This full-day, in-person workshop is a free professional development opportunity designed to build your confidence and capability in health research. Whether you are new to research or looking to strengthen your skills, this workshop will provide practical, hands-on learning in a supportive environment.

Workshop details:
• Date: Wednesday 29 July 2026
• Time: 8:30am – 4:00pm
• Location: Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health, James Cook University, Mount Isa
• Cost: Free

What to expect:
Participants will engage in sessions covering key aspects of research, including:
• Identifying a research question
• Developing a literature search strategy
• Selecting appropriate study designs
• Understanding ethics and approval pathways
• Data collection and analysis methods
• Dissemination and research impact

Facilitators:
• Dr Alice Cairns, Allied Health Rural Research Lead, Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer
• Catherine Seaton, Senior Research Fellow, Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health

To register, please visit: https://www.trybooking.com/DKUQU
We encourage you to take advantage of this valuable opportunity to develop your research skills and connect with colleagues ahead of the forum.

Please feel free to share this invitation within your networks.

TAAHC is proud to work in partnership with leading health services, universities and research institutions across the north, including:
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
Townsville Hospital and Health Service
Mackay Hospital and Health Service
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service
North West Hospital and Health Service
JCU: James Cook University, Australia
Northern Queensland PHN
Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council
JCU: Murtupuni Centre for Rural & Remote Health

02/04/2026

📣 We're pleased to share the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱-𝟮𝟲 𝗧𝗔𝗔𝗛𝗖 𝗤𝟯 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

This edition showcases what’s possible when clinicians, researchers, communities and health system leaders work together. It highlights the depth and impact of work happening across our regions — from celebrating Emergency Medicine Foundation grant success, to strengthening research translation capability, digital health interoperability, and locally led system improvement across northern Queensland.

Inside, we showcase collaboration in action: our role in bringing ISHCA26 to Queensland, regional FHIR training delivered with CSIRO, the growth of emerging and established research leaders, and the powerful impact of seed funding translating into system‑wide change. We also celebrate women leading research and translation, and the people and partnerships driving better health outcomes across regional, rural and remote communities.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone across the TAAHC ecosystem — clinicians, researchers, members and partners — who continue to turn evidence into meaningful, real‑world impact.

📖 We invite you to read the full newsletter here: https://www.taahc.org.au/news-events/newsletters/







Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
Townsville Hospital and Health Service
Mackay Hospital and Health Service
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service
North West Hospital and Health Service
JCU: James Cook University, Australia
Northern Queensland PHN
Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council
National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC
CSIRO

01/04/2026

Do you need to develop a questionnaire that actually delivers useful insights?

Poorly designed questionnaires lead to poor data and ultimately poor decisions. Getting this right matters, particularly across health services, research, and community programs.

TAAHC is hosting an interactive research skills session focused on practical questionnaire design.

📅 Wednesday, 22 April
🕐 1:00pm – 2:30pm (virtual)
Led by TAAHC Statistician Michael Crowe, this session will cover:
• Defining the information you actually need
• Understanding your target respondents
• Writing clear, unbiased questions
• Structuring questionnaires for logical flow and completion
• Applying these skills through guided activities

This is a practical capability that strengthens research quality, service evaluation, and real-world impact.
Register via the QR code on the flyer.
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TAAHC is proud to work in partnership with leading health services, universities and research institutions across the north, including:

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
Townsville Hospital and Health Service
Mackay Hospital and Health Service
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service
North West Hospital and Health Service
JCU: James Cook University, Australia
Northern Queensland PHNN
Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council

D

27/03/2026

𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗦
We are excited to announce the official launch of our TAAHC Photography Competition!

We are inviting photographers to capture the people, places, and landscapes that define regional, rural, and remote healthcare and research across tropical northern Queensland.

We're building a photographic library to support our website, annual report, and other publications - and we want to showcase the diversity, strength, and uniqueness of the communities we serve.

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
📸 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻: 27th March 2026
🖼️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀: Healthcare / Community & Wellbeing / Landscape/Environment
📤 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿: Submit your photographs online via the entry form and agree to the competition Terms & Conditions
➡️ 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿: https://www.taahc.org.au/news-events/photography-competition/
📍 Show us health, place and community through your lens.
You don’t need to be a professional photographer — we welcome entries from anyone with a passion for capturing their region.

🏆 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿?
- Best photograph submission of the month will be celebrated on the TAAHC Website and social media platforms.
- Accepted photographs may be featured in future promotional materials or formal TAAHC documents.

📄 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆: https://www.taahc.org.au/news-events/photography-competition/

For more information on TAAHC, please visit our website: https://www.taahc.org.au/


We can't wait to see your stunning shots showcasing the unique beauty of our regions! ✨

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
Townsville Hospital and Health Service
Mackay Hospital and Health Service
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service
North West Hospital and Health Service
JCU: James Cook University, Australia
Northern Queensland PHN
Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council

27/03/2026

Grant opportunity via Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation

27/03/2026

Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre congratulates Amanda McConnell Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service , Emma Whyte Townsville Hospital and Health Service and
Dr Vinay Gangathimmaiah Townsville Hospital and Health Service on being awarded Emergency Medicine Foundation - Australasia (EMF) Research Grants, announced at the 2026 EMF Grants Award Ceremony.

The 2025–26 grants round recognised a record cohort of EMF‑funded emergency medicine research projects, highlighting the strength, diversity and translational impact of clinician‑led research across Queensland. These funded projects support the translation of real‑world research into practice, strengthening the health system and improving patient outcomes.
TAAHC is proud to work alongside partner organisations contributing to this important body of emergency medicine research across northern Queensland.

Since 2007, EMF has invested more than $26.9 million into 328 clinician-led research projects across Queensland. This year, EMF celebrated one of its largest Grants Award Ceremonies, recognising a record cohort of funded projects and marking a significant investment in emergency medicine research. T...

25/03/2026

A really important message

Before the big cleanup, protect yourself from melioidosis.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle has left a big cleanup job for our communities. But before you work outside 🧑🏿‍🌾, it’s important to stay safe.

Melioidosis is a germ 🦠 that lives deep in the soil, but heavy rain ⛈️ and floods 🌊 can bring it to the surface.

It’s a serious infection that can make you really sick. Some people die from it.

It can get into your body through cuts and scrapes, or by breathing in tiny water droplets.

To protect yourself while cleaning up outside:
🩹 Cover any cuts and sores before you work outside
🥾 Wear closed in shoes and gloves 🧤
🖐🏽 Wash your hands, feet 🦶🏾 and any cuts or sores with soap 🧼 after working outside
🚿 Shower every day with soap
😷 Wear a face mask if you’re power washing

Elders; people with weakened immune systems, diabetes, kidney problems, lung problems; and people who drink a lot of alcohol are especially at risk.

Melioidosis can take up to 3 to 4 weeks to develop symptoms. If you get a cough, fever, headaches, joint pain, trouble breathing, or develop sores or ulcers, reach out to your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker, ACCHO or GP clinic to get checked out, or phone 13 Health (13 43 25 84) for after-hours advice, 24/7.

24/03/2026

A great event that shouldn’t be missed

📅 Save the date & register now!

🌱 Connecting Across Wide Horizons: Innovate, Adapt & Thrive

The Allied Health professionals of North West Queensland are proud to host the Outback Allied Health Forum 2026. This year’s theme brings together allied health practitioners, services, educators and researchers working across outback and rural communities, to connect and share insights on delivering care across vast and diverse regions.

🕠 Time: Thursday, July 30 at 10 am to Friday, July 31 at 3 pm
📍 Location: JCU MCRRH - Tjirtamai Hall
🎟️ Register : https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/outback-allied-health-forum-tickets-1983592194651
➡️ Further Details : https://www.crrh.jcu.edu.au/conferences/outback-allied-health-forum/outback-allied-health-forum-2026/