معرفی
Professor Lesley Forster is the inaugural Dean of Rural Medicine at Charles Sturt University (CSU), appointed in November 2019. Previously, she served as Associate Dean (Rural Health) and Head of the Rural Clinical School at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Her career spans extensive regional and rural healthcare experience, including roles with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Broken Hill and positions in Orange, Bathurst, and Wagga Wagga. She has a strong focus on Indigenous medical education, having convened the Special Entry to Medicine Program for Indigenous students at UNSW. Additionally, she held the Director of Medical Administration role at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, where she established the NSW Trauma System and Retrieval Services, and played a key role in hospital role delineation.
Her research and professional interests emphasize rural healthcare delivery systems, Indigenous health equity, trauma care infrastructure, and innovative medical education models. Professor Forster’s work bridges clinical practice, administrative leadership, and policy development to strengthen healthcare accessibility in underserved regions.
Key professional contributions include:
- Foundational work in NSW trauma systems and retrieval medicine
- Leadership in rural clinical education programs
- Advocacy for Indigenous medical student pathways
Labs/Teams: Currently oversees the Rural Medicine program at CSU and collaborates with the Rural Clinical School network. Formerly led key initiatives at UNSW’s Rural Clinical School.
