Education Program

The John James Foundation provides a range of educational opportunities for medical students, post graduates and other health professionals.  The goal of the Program is to provide valuable experience and training for those who are already providing or who wish to provide health services in remote and rural areas of Australia.

James Cook Specialist Elective Program

The John James Foundation offers three students of the James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland the opportunity to spend their sixth year, final term elective with a number of Canberra’s top specialists, gaining valuable insight and experience in operating theatre, lab and consulting room environments.

Specialties covered include Orthopaedics, ENT, Urology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Anaesthetics, ICU, Plastic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, General Surgery, Paediatrics, IVF, Radiology and Pathology.    In addition, students are given an introduction to medico-legal issues and have the opportunity to attend classes in anatomy.

The John James Foundation, via the James Cook Medical School, will circulate a call for applications for the program early each year.  Indigenous medical students are particularaly encouraged to apply.

As part of the program the John James Foundation pays for each student's return airfare between Townsville/Canberra, shared accomodation (with the other two students) and one shared hire car for the two month duration of the program.  The value of these benefits provided to each student is approximately $6,000, but the experience is priceless...

About the James Cook University Medical School

James Cook offers a 6 year undergraduate degree in medicine and surgery (MBBS). The course is full time and based in Townsville for the first four years.

Years 5 and 6 are devoted entirely to clinical practice and the majority of students are required to relocate to other School of Medicine teaching sites in Cairns, MacKay and Darwin for the entire 2 years.

The Medical School takes a community-oriented approach to medical education, emphasising active learning in the region’s health and community service system. Over the 6 year program, students undertake at least one 4 week placement and two eight week placements in rural settings across northern Queensland in urban, rural and Indigenous community settings.

At the end of the program, graduates are uniquely qualified in the fields of rural, remote and Indigenous heath and tropical medicine.

John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra

The John James Foundation currently sponsors a research scholarship at the John Curtin School, which provides financial assistance to a selected student over a three year period.