Lauren Cone

Dr Lauren Cone serves as Clinical Dean at the University of Newcastle's Department of Rural Health within the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing. A dedicated rural medical practitioner and educator with over a decade of clinical experience across North West NSW, she holds dual appointments as both a General Practitioner and academic leader focused on strengthening rural healthcare systems.

Her educational qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Science (Medicine), Bachelor of Medicine, and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of New South Wales
• Post Graduate Diploma of Medical Education from the University of Dundee

Dr Cone's research program centers on sustainable rural healthcare delivery through innovative medical education. Her work prioritizes chronic disease management, palliative care, mental health, and farmer wellbeing in resource-limited settings, with particular emphasis on developing professional identity among rural practitioners. She champions interprofessional education models that prepare students for collaborative practice in underserved communities.

Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent focus on overcoming geographical barriers in medical education, with recurring themes of videoconferencing equity, interprofessional team development, and culturally safe training for Indigenous students. Her work demonstrates how rural context shapes unique pedagogical approaches that address workforce shortages through targeted educational interventions.

Her scholarly contributions have been recognized with the 2019 DVC(A) Educator Innovation and Impact Award from the University of Newcastle.

As an academic mentor, Dr Cone supervises medical students and registrars while leading the JMP Rural Health Pathway program. Her grant portfolio includes the 2019 Educator Network-funded project "Escaping the lecture theatre: a team effort" ($3,406), which developed innovative team-based teaching methodologies for rural clinical settings.

She maintains active leadership roles as Deputy Chair of the NSW Rural Doctors Network and facilitator for the Clinical Certificate in Teaching and Supervision through the Academy of Clinical Educators, driving systemic change in rural healthcare education and advocacy.