Penelope Fotheringham

Dr. Penelope Fotheringham is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Central Coast Clinical School within the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle. She commenced her academic role in 2021 and has been teaching medical students at the University of Sydney since 2010. As a dual-trained medical specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Public Health Medicine, she actively contributes to RANZCOG and AFPHM with committee and educational roles, and serves on the board of Women's Plans Foundation.

Dr. Fotheringham holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Sydney, a Bachelor of Medical Science from the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Honours) from the University of Sydney, and a Master of Science in Infectious Diseases from the University of London. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Medical Education, focusing on health literacy in medical education related to sexual and reproductive health.

Her research interests center on achieving health equity for disadvantaged populations, with specific focus areas including contraception, health literacy, obstetrics and gynaecology, public health, and sexual and reproductive health. Dr. Fotheringham's work addresses the social determinants of health and historical disadvantage, particularly examining how healthcare systems can better serve vulnerable communities through integrated care models and improved health professional education.

Her publication portfolio demonstrates a strong focus on women's health, public health responses to pandemics, and integrated care models. Recent work includes studies on hyperemesis gravidarum management, pregnancy-associated cancers, opioid prescribing practices, and the mental health impacts of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her research often employs mixed methods, including population-based cohort studies, scoping reviews, and qualitative approaches to understand healthcare access and outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Dr. Fotheringham has received several prestigious awards recognizing her contributions to medical education and public health:

• Clinical Leadership and Engagement Academic Excellence award from the University of Newcastle (2022)
• Early and Mid Career Teaching Award from the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (2021)
• Professional Year Award from the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (2024)
• President's Award from the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (2023)

She has secured significant research funding, including a $1.95 million grant from the NHMRC for 'Treatable Traits for Asthma Management during Pregnancy' (2024-2028) and a $75,000 grant from the RPA Greenlight Institute for the 'COVID-Home qualitative study' (2021-2022). Dr. Fotheringham has been involved in major research projects including COVIDsurg 3, an international prospective cohort study on surgical outcomes during the pandemic, and the COVID-Home qualitative study examining healthcare needs during mandatory quarantine.

As a member of the Central Coast Clinical School, Dr. Fotheringham collaborates with healthcare providers at Gosford Hospital, Wyong Hospital, and Gosford Private Hospital. Her work bridges clinical practice and academic research, with a particular emphasis on improving healthcare access and outcomes for disadvantaged populations through evidence-based interventions and health professional education.