Our Staff

Role with CQCRRH

A/Professor Kehinde Obamiro is the Centre Lead of the James Cook University Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health (CQCRRH). He is an accomplished researcher, academic leader, registered pharmacist and public health expert, with extensive experience in rural and remote health, Indigenous health, healthcare access and workforce development.

He provides strategic leadership for rural health education, workforce development, research and community engagement initiatives across Central Queensland. His work focuses on strengthening the rural and remote health workforce through innovative education programs, collaborative research and sustainable partnerships with health services, government, industry and community stakeholders.

He has a strong track record of securing competitive research funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australian Government and Commonwealth funding programs, non-government organisations (NGOs), and other competitive funding schemes. His research leadership encompasses interdisciplinary collaboration, research translation and mentoring emerging researchers, with a particular focus on improving health outcomes and addressing health inequities in rural and remote communities. Kehinde completed a PhD in pharmacy practice at the University of Tasmania and a Master of Public Health at the University of Edinburgh in addition to other qualifications in addition to other qualifications. 

Role with CQCRRH

Associate Professor Sally West provides strategic leadership in nursing and allied health education, with a strong foundation in public health and extensive clinical experience across rural and remote health, paediatrics, emergency care, infectious diseases, and sexual health.

Sally leads community-focused health needs assessments that inform the development of evidence-based student placements, educational resources, and research initiatives. She is passionate about strengthening the rural healthcare workforce through innovative learning opportunities that promote interprofessional collaboration, cultural responsiveness, and equitable healthcare delivery for rural and remote communities.

Biography

Sally grew up in Emerald and then Rockhampton in Central Queensland. Sally studied in Brisbane and worked as a Registered Nurse in Southeast Queensland and Central Queensland before moving to the United Kingdom and travelling, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Sally returned to Central Queensland and then after meeting her partner in Woorabinda, she moved north and spent over ten years living in Cape York and working within Cairns, Cape York, and the Torres Strait. Sally has spent the last 16 years embedded in rural and remote health nursing and focused on Academic in the past seven years. Sally now lives and works in Central Queensland with her partner and children.

Education

• Bachelor of Nursing
• Master of Nursing (Clinical Education)
• Master of Public Health (Communicable Disease Control
• Graduate Certificate in Disaster Management and Refugee Health

Currently undertaking her PhD

Role with CQCRRH

Muideen is the Research Lead at the CQCRRH. He provides strategic leadership to strengthen the Centre's research profile, build research capacity, and deliver high-quality research that addresses the health priorities of Central Queensland. His role includes leading multidisciplinary research programs, securing competitive research funding, and mentoring researchers, clinicians, and students. Working collaboratively with health services, policymakers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, universities, and community partners, he supports the co-design and translation of research into evidence-informed policy, practice, and health service improvements that enhance health outcomes across the region.

Biography

Dr Muideen Olaiya is an epidemiologist whose research focuses on improving population health through epidemiology, health services research, implementation science, and the use of large-scale health data. He is passionate about developing evidence that informs policy and practice to improve health outcomes for rural, remote, and underserved populations.

Originally from southwestern Nigeria, Muideen moved to Australia in 2014 to undertake a PhD program at Monash University after completing a Master’s program in Taiwan. He subsequently completed a prestigious National Institutes of Health (United States) Postdoctoral Fellowship from 2017 to 2020, further strengthening his expertise in Indigenous and health services research.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (Epidemiology)

• Master of Public Health (Epidemiology and Applied Statistics)

• Bachelor of Science

Role with CQCRRH

Sarah Robson is the Manager of the Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health (CQCRRH) and is responsible for overseeing the Centre’s operations, strategic direction and ongoing development. She provides leadership across a broad range of functions, ensuring that infrastructure, resources, finances, services, and administrative systems effectively support the current and future needs of the Centre.

Sarah plays a key role in maintaining strong community and stakeholder relationships across Central Queensland, while supporting the delivery of high-quality rural health education and training opportunities. Her responsibilities include strategic planning, reporting to funding bodies, communications and marketing, event coordination, and identifying new funding opportunities to support the continued growth and expansion of CQCRRH throughout the region. Sarah was also instrumental in supporting the establishment of the Centre and continues to drive initiatives that strengthen its impact within rural and remote communities.

Biography

Sarah brings more than 30 years of experience in business management, marketing, and stakeholder engagement across the public and private sectors. Originally from England and now based in regional Queensland, she has led a wide range of marketing, business development, and community engagement initiatives, including the launch of the iconic Cooly Rocks On Festival. In recognition of her innovation, Sarah received a UK Government Award for developing the Buy With Confidence consumer protection scheme, which was adopted by local authorities across the United Kingdom.

As Manager, Operations of CQCRRH, Sarah is passionate about strengthening rural and remote health workforce development and supporting regional communities. She has also served as an Australian Government Digital Solutions business advisor, helping small businesses build digital capability and resilience. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys horse riding, motorbike adventures, painting, baking, and spending time with her family on their rural property.

Education

• Cert IV in Training and Assessment
• Diploma of Business and Management
• Advance Diploma of Shopping Centre Management and Marketing

Role with CQCRRH

Dennis is a Research Fellow at the Central Queensland Rural and Remote Health. His role focuses on delivering high-quality research that addresses the health priorities of rural, remote and Indigenous communities across Central Queensland. He contributes to multidisciplinary research programs spanning Indigenous health, rural health, healthy ageing, cancer prevention, health services and health equity.

 Working collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, community-controlled organisations, rural health services, researchers and other stakeholders, Dennis contributes to the co-design, implementation and evaluation of culturally responsive approaches to improving health and healthcare access. His role includes research design and delivery, community engagement, mixed-methods evaluation, data analysis, research translation and dissemination. He supports the generation of evidence that can inform health policy, clinical practice and service delivery in rural and remote settings.

Biography

Dr Dennis Asante is a public health researcher whose work focuses on improving health equity and healthcare access among underserved populations. His research spans rural and remote health, Indigenous health, healthy ageing, health services research and health policy, with particular interest in understanding and addressing barriers to healthcare access and utilisation.

Dennis brings expertise in mixed-methods research, epidemiology, health services research, policy evaluation and quantitative data analysis. His research has generated evidence on multimorbidity, psychological distress, unmet healthcare needs, chronic disease management and access to primary and specialist healthcare among older adults living in rural communities.

 His current research at JCU focuses on rural and remote Central Queensland, including Indigenous health and culturally responsive approaches to improving bowel cancer prevention and care. Through community-engaged research and collaboration with rural health services and Indigenous organisations, he contributes to identifying locally relevant priorities, co-designing solutions and evaluating their implementation and impact.

His research seeks to translate evidence into practical approaches that strengthen health systems, improve service access and address persistent health inequities affecting rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (Public Health)
• Master of Public Administration (Health Policy Evaluation)
• Postgraduate training in Biostatistics
• Bachelor of Arts (BA. Hons Political Studies)

Role at CQCRRH

Lucy Bliss is the Senior Allied Health Clinical Lead at the Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health (CQCRRH), where she has been a valued member of the team since its establishment in 2022. Lucy is passionate about supporting students and health professionals to develop rewarding careers in rural practice and improving access to quality healthcare services across regional Australia.

Biography

Lucy was raised on a cattle property in Central Queensland and has been living in Emerald since 2009. She brings a strong understanding of the unique healthcare needs of rural students and service delivery opportunities within rural communities.

Education

• Bachelor of Pharmacy
• Graduate Certificate in Advanced Pharmacy Practice and Prescribing
• Credentialled Pharmacist

Role with CQCRRH

As the Social Work Clinical Lead, Taegen develops, coordinates and supervises Social Work student service-learning placements and facilitates Social Work Placement opportunities with local service providers. Taegen’s role encompasses community engagement and support to host organisations, whilst supporting students to integrate learning through developing and implementing interprofessional learning opportunities.

Biography

Taegen has extensive experience spanning rural and remote locations in QLD, NSW, NT and WA. Her background encompasses working from a trauma informed approach within therapeutic services (School Counselling and Counselling with Indigenous Children, Young People and families in Remote Indigenous Communities), program-based youth services, program development and student and professional supervision. Taegen brings enthusiasm, experience within rural and remote contexts, and a passion for community development approaches to working with communities and vulnerable populations.

Education

• Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy - Latrobe University – 2021
• Masters of Therapeutic Arts - The Miecat Institute – 2018
• Masters of Social Work - Griffith University – 2012
• Bachelor of Human Services Majoring in Family and Youth Justice - Griffith University – 2010
• Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice Griffith University– 2010

http://orcid.org/0009-0008-6538-446X

Role with CQCRR

As the Speech Pathology Clinical Lead, Georgie plays a key role in developing, coordinating, and supervising Speech Pathology student service-learning placements. She actively collaborates with local service providers to facilitate meaningful placement opportunities, fostering strong community partnerships. Georgie supports host organisations through ongoing engagement and guidance, while helping students integrate their academic learning into real-world practice. Her role also includes designing and implementing interprofessional learning experiences, promoting collaboration across disciplines to enhance student development and service outcomes.

Biography

Georgie is a passionate Speech Pathologist born and raised on a cattle station in Central Queensland, four hours from Emerald. An alumna of James Cook University, Georgie is excited to be back working with the institution that helped shape her career. She has worked in private paediatric practice in Brisbane and in occupied a generalist speech pathology role servicing rural and remote communities across Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Georgie is committed to improving access to speech pathology services in regional areas, supporting the community and their relationship with healthcare, and has a strong passion for student learning and mentoring future speech pathologists.

Education

• Certificate III: Childhood Education and Care
• Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
• Trained in Key Word Sign Australia, DIR 101, and 201, and Lee Silverman Voice Treatment

Role with CQCRRH

Dylan is the Clinical Lead for Exercise Physiology at James Cook University's Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health (CQCRRH) in Emerald. In this role, he supports the clinical education and placement of exercise physiology students while leading the development and delivery of health and wellbeing programs for communities across the Central Highlands.

Biography

Dylan grew up in Mackay in Central North Queensland and is a Senior Accredited Exercise Physiologist with extensive experience across private practice and regional healthcare settings. Throughout his career, he has worked with people living with a diverse range of health conditions, including neurological disorders, cancer, musculoskeletal conditions, metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, and spinal injuries.

Alongside his clinical work, Dylan has a strong interest in exercise performance and has extensive experience coaching runners and strength and conditioning athletes, from recreational to semi-professional.

Prior to becoming an exercise physiologist, Dylan worked in the mental health and disability sector, through community-based outreach roles.

He and his family have recently moved to the Central Highlands and have thoroughly enjoyed becoming part of the local community.

Education

• Bachelor of Physical Activity and Health Science
• Master of Exercise Physiology
• Postgraduate Certificate in Exercise Medicine (Oncology)

Dylan is commencing a Master of Philosophy, with research focused on rural health and exercise physiology.

Role with CQCRRH

Candice is the CQCRRH Occupational Therapy Clinical Lead based in Emerald. Candice’s role is to oversee the development and delivery of occupational therapy services within our student-led clinic, while mentoring and guiding university students to build their clinical competence, confidence, and professional identity. Candice collaborates within a multidisciplinary team to plan and deliver group and/or individual programs that are designed to meet the needs of community members, improve health and wellbeing outcomes, and increase access to healthcare services while supporting student learning. Occupational therapy focuses on enabling people to participate in their everyday activities – or “occupations” – that give their lives meaning and purpose to maximise safety, independence, and quality of life.

Biography

Candice grew up in Biloela, Central Queensland, and has a strong appreciation for the challenges rural/remote communities face with accessing healthcare services. She has spent majority of her career as a rural generalist occupational therapist working within the community. Candice has provided outreach services from Biloela to Rockhampton and across Western Qld as far as Winton.

Education

• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

Role with CQCRRH

Jessica is an Allied Health Clinical Lead in Social Work for JCU CQCRRH. This role involves providing support and supervision to Allied Health students through an interdisciplinary placement model. Allied Health Clinical Leads from a range of disciplines collaborate to share insights, knowledge, and resources, supporting students to develop both clinical competence and rural generalist capabilities across the lifespan. We are privileged to contribute to students’ professional identity formation through clinical practice, education, supervision, reflective learning, and constructive feedback, helping them grow into confident and capable health professionals.

Biography

Jessica grew up in the United States and has called Australia home for more than 12 years. She brings a wealth of international experience as a social worker across medical, mental health, and community settings. Jessica joins this role with a genuine passion for supporting and educating the next generation of social workers as they enter this diverse, challenging, and rewarding profession.

Jessica lives in Emerald with her family and enjoys being part of the local community. Outside of work, she enjoys all kinds of movement and exercise, spending time with her family in the sunshine, cooking, and travelling whenever the opportunity arises. 

Education

• Bachelor of Psychology
• Master of Social Work

Biography

Kristy relocated to Emerald in 2014 and has been actively involved in the local community since 2021. Working across both Government and Non-Government organisations, she has developed a broad and in-depth understanding of mental health concerns across the lifespan. Kristy’s experience in a rural setting has provided unique opportunities for professional growth, requiring adaptability, collaboration, and a strong generalist skill set. This environment has deepened her knowledge and enriched her practice which she looks forward to sharing with students. Kristy has a special interest in child, adolescent, and young adult mental health and is passionate about supporting young people and their families through early intervention and holistic care.

Education

• Registered Psychologist - CQU
• Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) First Class - CQU
• Bachelor of Psychological Science with Distinction - CQU
• Diploma of Allied Health - CQU

Role at CQCRRH

Steph is one of CQCRRH Clinical Lead’s for Speech Pathology based in Longreach. Steph’s role requires her to work closely with partner organizations and stakeholders in rural and remote communities to facilitate and deliver interdisciplinary student placements. Steph ensures that students receive a high-quality placement experience, whilst also meeting the community’s needs.  Steph also undertakes research, with interest in allied health student placement models and rural workforce. 

Biography

Steph has spent her career working in rural and remote communities. Steph has a passion for knowledge sharing and advocating for rural communities. She believes rural and remote placement and work opportunities hold incredible learning and skill development opportunities for those willing to step outside their comfort zones. Steph lives on a sheep station with her husband and son. She enjoys attending local community events and is attempting to teach herself to sew.

Education

• Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
• Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Currently undertaking a Graduate Certificate in Health Professional Education

Role with CQCRRH

Kali-Jean holds two roles within James Cook University's Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health (CQCRRH).

As the Multidisciplinary Training Facilitator based in Emerald, Kali-Jean coordinates and supports authentic rural and remote clinical placements for students across medicine, nursing and allied health disciplines from a range of universities. Her role includes organising student accommodation, providing orientation and cultural awareness activities, delivering administrative support, and acting as a key liaison throughout students' rural placement experience. She also develops and maintains strong partnerships with local health services, organisations and community stakeholders to enhance placement opportunities and strengthen the rural health workforce.

Kali-Jean also works as the Allied Health Clinical Educator – Social Work, where she supports social work student learning through group work, skills development and practice-based education. She contributes to the Student-Led Service by facilitating individual social work interventions and group programs, including carer support initiatives. In addition, she is actively involved in community engagement activities and stakeholder collaboration to strengthen partnerships and promote rural allied health education and workforce development.

Biography

Kali-Jean grew up in Charters Towers, North Queensland, and has a strong connection to rural communities. Before joining CQCRRH, she spent much of her career serving as a police officer with the Queensland Police Service. Her diverse professional background has provided her with extensive experience working alongside individuals, families and communities.

Kali-Jean is passionate about supporting the future rural health workforce and creating meaningful placement experiences that encourage students to live and work in rural and remote Australia. Outside of work, she is married to a cattle farmer and is the proud mother of four daughters. She is also an active community volunteer, contributing to several local committees and community/sporting organisations.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology

• Master of Social Work

Role with CQCRRH

Braydan is the CQCRRH Clinical Educator for Dietetics. In this role, he supervises and mentors dietetics students during their rural and remote placements, supporting their clinical learning and professional development. He also provides dietetic services at Bidgerdii Health Service in Blackwater, supporting the delivery of nutrition care to the local community.

Biography

Born in Toowoomba, Braydan grew up in rural & regional locations in QLD before eventually heading to the Sunshine Coast and attending university. Before pursuing a career in dietetics, he worked in several industries, most recently underground mining. He is passionate about supporting the rural health workforce and values the opportunity to return to rural Queensland to live and work. Braydan is married with two young sons and enjoys raising his family in a regional community.

Education

• Bachelor of Dietetics (Honours)

Role with CQCRRH

Christine is the CQCRRH Clinical Lead for Occupational Therapy, based in Biloela.

Biography

Born in New South Wales — and a proud Blues supporter — Christine moved to Queensland in the early 2000s. Before beginning her career in healthcare, she worked in the financial services industry before completing her degree in occupational therapy.

Christine has since established her career in Central Queensland, where she lives with her husband and their three children. She enjoys making the most of the unique lifestyle the region has to offer, from its beautiful coastline to the iconic red dirt of Central Queensland.

Education

• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
• Level 1 Training in Lymphoedema Assessment and Management

Role with CQCRRH

As the Physiotherapy Clinical Lead in Biloela, Amelia develops, coordinates, and hosts physiotherapy student placement opportunities with local providers. She is passionate about building the health workforce of Central Queensland to support those living in rural and remote Australia.

Biography

Amelia grew up on Queensland's Gold Coast, but she's always known she wanted to live and work in rural Australia. Amelia traded beach for boots and now enjoys life with her husband on a cattle station outside of Biloela. Through her work in the public health and education sectors, she developed a research interest in the physical readiness of children starting school in Australia, with a focus on early identification and the implementation of targeted interventions.

Education

• Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) 

Role with CQCRRH

Laurel is an Indigenous Allied Health Assistant at the JCU CQCRRH hub in Emerald. In this role, she supports university students who come and do their placements at the JCU CQCRRH hub, and assists patients during group visits by providing practical support and culturally safe care.

Biography

Laurel moved from Kuranda in Far North Queensland to Emerald in 2012. Since then, she has worked across a range of local roles, including 10 years at Woolworths, one year at First 5 Years Kindergarten, and one and a half years with Education Queensland as a Teacher Assistant. In December 2025, Laurel applied for the Indigenous Allied Health Assistant position with James Cook University in Emerald.

Education

• Certificate III in Business – Office Administration
• Currently studying Certificate IV in Allied Health

Role with CQCRRH

Judith is one of the JCU Nurse Educators based in Emerald. Judith’s role is to organise and facilitate teaching and learning for nursing students enrolled into the JCU Bachelor of Nursing Science course. Her role includes the monitoring of student performance, support of skill acquisition, ensuring safe practice is aligned with NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice and contribution to scholarship of teaching and learning. She demonstrates ethical practice, reflective thinking, and leadership expected of future RNs as well as the embedding of cultural safety principles and ensuring all BNSc graduates can deliver culturally responsive care.

Biography

Judith recently joined JCU as a PhD candidate in 2009 after extensive time involved in research in Western Australia. After PhD completion in 2025 she relocated from Cairns to Emerald to undertake her role as Nurse Educator. Judith’s current research with the JCU Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine focuses on development of a contemporary tuberculosis vaccine

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (Immunology) 
• Master of Public Health (Infectious Disease) -
• Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Nursing
• Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science)
• Mater of Science (Human Biology) 
• Bachelor or Nursing

Role with CQCRRH

Monina Hernandez is a senior lecturer for Nursing at CQCRRH. Her teaching and research expertise includes fundamentals of nursing, infection prevention and control, health equity and cultural safety, and aged care. She is passionate about sustainable workforce development, person-centered care and equitable health care. 

Biography

Nina has built an extensive career across clinical practice, academia, governance, and health leadership. After receiving the University of the Philippines Manila's highest student award, she spent 18 years as a rural nurse-midwife and nursing lecturer. Following her move to New Zealand in 2010, she specialised in high-risk postpartum and neonatal intensive care before becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led infection prevention initiatives across nine Auckland quarantine facilities and received a New Zealand Government service award. She also taught undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students and served as a Board member of the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

Since relocating to Australia in 2022, Nina has led aged care and infection prevention programs across Victoria and Queensland while continuing her university teaching. She is a leader within Australia's peak professional nursing body and holds several national advisory and governance roles, including Deputy Chair of the Australian College of Nursing's Law and Regulation Faculty. Nina is an ICN-TruMerit Certified Global Nurse Consultant, a UNITAR Fellow, and an active member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honour Society of Nursing, contributing to health system reform, workforce sustainability, and infection prevention across the Asia-Pacific region.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching
• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences
• Graduate Certificate in Public Health
• Master of Nursing Hons (Advanced Nursing Practice)
• PhD in Nursing candidate

Role At CQCRRH

Senior Lecturer Nursing, Indigenous Health

 Biography

Alinta is a Barunggam and Wiradjuri woman from Southwest Queensland and Central New South Wales.

She has joined our team from Longreach where she was the Clinical Nurse Consultant for Indigenous Health in the Central West Hospital and Health Service. Alinta has extensive nursing experience in different areas of health including: Haemodialysis, General Practice, Emergency and Correctional Health in rural, remote and urban settings. 

Alinta is passionate about creating culturally safe spaces within the health system, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel comfortable accessing health care. She is excited for future endeavors with JCU CQCRRH and hopes to contribute to building the Indigenous workforce in not only nursing, but in all aspects of health.

Education

• Bachelor of Nursing Science, James Cook University (2012)

http://orcid.org/0009-00002-4428-2989

Role with CQCRRH

Ashlee is the operations officer and assists with the daily operations of the CQCRRH network. Ashlee ensures infrastructure, resources, services, events and administration functions support the operational needs of the centre. 

Biography

Ashlee has an extensive background in administration, sales, and customer service, with strong experience in operational support, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management. Having grown up in Western Queensland, she has a deep connection to rural and remote communities and a strong understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges faced by regional Australia.

Education

• Diploma in Business Administration