Churchill farewells Elmer and Brian
Two senior academics who welcomed the first cohort of students into the Gippsland Medical School have recently left the School of Rural Health Churchill.
Associate Professors Elmer Villanueva and Brian Chapman have made significant contributions to the Monash medical course during their terms.
Associate Professor Elmer Villanueva
Elmer was Theme II Coordinator and with his academic team developed a high quality program in health and society, epidemiology and population health, as well as the community-based program. Elmer had a very distinctive lecturing style where he demanded high levels of engagement from students, but this was tempered by his quirky sense of humour. He also developed and taught an innovative Year 3B evidence-based clinical practice program for students in the Gippsland region. Working closely with Professor Debra Nestel , they developed impressive research opportunities for medical students in the region. Elmer was actively involved in a number of MBBS committees, and acted as our OH&S and workplace discrimination representative for a time. His input into MBBS assessment and Open Days is well recognised. From September 2012 until December 2013 Elmer served as Acting Director of the former Gippsland Regional Clinical School.
Associate Professor Brian Chapman
Brian was Theme III Coordinator and Year A Problem Based Learning Coordinator. He was the primary lecturer in physiology in Year A teaching across a range of topics. Passionate and outspoken about his areas of responsibility, Brian developed a number of innovative computer-based learning packages to support student learning. His contributions to the unit’s assessment processes were well appreciated by his colleagues, and he became our guide to the correct use of language in written Year A examinations. Brian was our representative on a number of diverse MBBS and Gippsland campus committees.
We thank Brian and Elmer for their contributions to the Gippsland Medical School and the School of Rural Health and we wish them the best for the future.