Dean of the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine, Professor Scott Wilkes
The University of Waikato has appointed Professor Scott Wilkes as the inaugural Dean of the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine.
An experienced academic leader and clinician, Professor Wilkes led the establishment of a primary care-focused medical school at the University of Sunderland in the North East of England, as its founding Head of School and Professor of General Practice and Primary Care.
Sunderland Medical School was established in 2019 to widen access to medical training and address a regional imbalance of medical education places across England, to ensure the profession reflects the communities it serves.
It graduated its first intake with sector-leading metrics showing increased access to university for students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds with the pioneer student cohort achieving a 99% pass rate at first sit in the national applied knowledge test, medical licensing examination. The school is ranked No. 1 in the National Student Survey, of all 42 UK medical schools, for academic tutor support.
Professor Wilkes says he is honoured to have been appointed to lead the establishment of the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine.
The School’s focus on strengthening New Zealand’s primary care workforce and broadening access to medical training closely reflects what my colleagues and I have achieved at Sunderland. I look forward to drawing on that experience to help build a medical workforce that serves communities across the country.
An expert in medical education and healthcare delivery, Professor Wilkes has more than 30 years’ experience as a GP and more than 20 years’ experience as a National Health Service England (NHS) researcher.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waikato, Professor Neil Quigley, says the University is delighted to have secured a candidate of Professor Wilkes’ calibre, with a deep understanding of the importance of a medical education that is responsive to community needs.
Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Health, Professor Jo Lane, says Professor Wilkes has a demonstrated commitment to widening participation in medical education.
“This makes Scott an ideal candidate to lead the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine, which will have entry requirements and selection processes designed to ensure a cohort of medical students who represent the New Zealand population,” he says.
We’re looking forward to welcoming Scott to the team and gaining the benefit of his experience.
Chair of the Medical Advisory Board and Braemar Hospital Chief Executive, Fiona Michel, says Professor Wilkes’ interest in the role reflects positively on the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine’s innovative proposition and potential to effect real change.
Professor Wilkes will begin in the role immediately, working part-time remotely ahead of moving to New Zealand later in the year.
He will build upon the work of the Interim Dean of Medicine, Professor David McCormack, who provided academic and operational leadership for the first phase of the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine’s establishment.
The New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine, New Zealand’s first graduate-entry medical school, is set to open in 2028.
Its curriculum will be designed to produce more graduates who choose to become GPs and who want to work in regional and rural communities.
