AFPHM News - April 2026
As we settle into a new year, I again welcome our new trainees.
I would like to congratulate the two awardees of our President’s Awards being:
- Professor Roderick McClure – AFPHM President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Fellow. Rod has been the Chair of our Faculty Education Committee and the AFPHM representative on the College Education Committee whilst we have undergone changes in education governance.
- Dr Elly Layton – AFPHM President’s Award for Outstanding Commitment by a Trainee. Elly has been the Chair of our Faculty Trainee Committee from 2023 to 2026 and has performed very well in this role especially in providing advice to the Faculty Council on trainee issues.
Welcome to our new Faculty Trainee Committee Chair Dr Felix Ho (NT) and Deputy Chair Dr Sam Gerami (NSW) who are now also on AFPHM Council. More about Felix in the Spotlight below.
At Faculty Council on 30 March, we passed on your thanks to the members of Faculty Council who will finish their terms at the end of May. Those retiring from Council are:
- Professor Elizabeth Sullivan after six years on Council
- Professor Mike Ackland after six years on Council
- Dr Katherine Graham – as she is finishing as Aotearoa New Zealand AFPHM Committee Chair after three years
- Dr Elly Layton – previous Chair of the Faculty Trainee Committee after three years on Council
I thank them all for their input to Council and the Faculty over many years, although I hope they will still provide input in different roles in the future.
I also welcome our new Council member being Dr Matt McConnell, who will take up his position following the AGM on 29 May.
As we still have two Australian vacancies and one Aotearoa New Zealand vacancy on Faculty Council., Expressions of interest (EOIs) for these positions are now open as casual vacancies until May 2027. Please consider applying to give your voice to the Faculty.
Since I last wrote, we have been progressing the final parts of our new curriculum so that it can start in 2027. Please be cognisant of the new starting requirements in 2027, as they differ from the current curriculum and may affect people who wish to start training next year. You are the likely people that prospective trainees will ask about AFPHM training.
Please contact me if you have any issues that I should be aware of affecting public health medicine in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand via email afphm@racp.edu.au
Dr Tony Gill
AFPHM President
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Join us at an RACP LIFT event this year. Designed to support your clinical practice and professional development across a range of specialties, RACP LIFT events are available virtually as well as in-person, in cities across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
With options to suit all members, explore our upcoming events and register early to secure your place.
The AFPHM Council held its first meeting of the year on Monday, 30 March 2026. Council members welcomed the new Chair of the AFPHM Trainee Committee, Dr Felix Ho, and acknowledged outgoing members: Dr Elly Layton, Dr Mike Ackland and Dr Elizabeth Sullivan. The President also acknowledged Dr Katherine Graham, Chair, Aotearoa NZ AFPHM Committee who finishes her term in May this year.
Council members received an update on the final RACP Strategy 2026 to 2030 and the 2026 Operating Plan for the College. This led to a discussion about the AFPHM Council work plan for 2026 and priorities for the Faculty, which has now been submitted to the College Board.
Following the College elections, Council has vacant Fellow positions, with Expressions of Interest for these 12 month casual roles to be published shortly.
AFPHM Insights
AFPHM Training Curriculum from 2027
The new training curriculum for public health medicine will be rolled out for incoming first-year trainees on Friday, 1 January 2027. The new competency-based program with refreshed learning goals, assessment tools and criteria for progression through phases of training can be viewed here.
Visit our New Curricula Support Hub for general information, and keep an eye out for an updated information session from the AFPHM President, Dr Tony Gill in the coming months.
RACP 2026 Elections
Visit the RACP website for an overview of submitted nominations, positions progressing to ballot and elected positions to be confirmed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, 29 May 2026.
Spotlight on our AFPHM members
Welcome to the new Chair, AFPHM Trainee Committee, Dr Felix Ho
Tell us about yourself
Hi, I’m Felix. I’m privileged to live and work on Larrakia Country in Darwin, NT, where I’ve been based for almost two decades. My background is as a paramedic, and I later took the plunge into medical school as part of the second NT‑based cohort. It’s a decision I’ve never looked back on. It’s been an incredible experience learning alongside diverse Indigenous cultures, working with dedicated colleagues and encountering a wide range of clinical presentations and tropical diseases that continue to shape my practice.
Why did you decide to do public health medicine, and where are you up to in your training?
In 2019, I was part of the AusMAT team deployed to support the measles outbreak response in Samoa. It was a challenging time with devastating human impacts, but it also offered a profound insight into the importance of immunisation, the strength of epidemiology and the role of clear health communication in countering misinformation. That experience highlighted how vital public health medicine is in improving outcomes at a population level and it ultimately set me on this training pathway.
How do you see your role as Chair of the Faculty Trainee Committee?
Trainees are not only the future of public health medicine, they are an essential part of the workforce right now. As Chair, I hope to advocate for all trainees alongside the fantastic representatives on the Trainee Committee, both current and future, particularly as we move toward the curriculum changes in 2027. It’s an exciting period of transition, but also an important one to ensure equity, strong support and a workforce that’s ready to meet emerging public health challenges.
Stay up to date with the latest news from the trainee community and discover ways to enhance your training. From new resources to upcoming events, there's always something to support your growth and development.
Trainees are reminded to keep their
MyRACP account details up to date, including current email and postal addresses, to ensure they receive communications and invitations to state-based events and other program updates.
2026 AFPHM Oral Exams
Applications for the 2026 AFPHM Oral Exam will open on Monday, 15 June 2026. Visit the RACP website for more information and key dates.
AFPHM Annual Training Day
The AFPHM Annual Training Day (ATD) will be held in a hybrid format, online and in Melbourne, on Thursday, 18 June 2026 (full day) and Friday, 19 June (half day to 12.30pm). Details of the program outline, venue and a registration link will be shared with trainees shortly via email.
Trainee Committee Update
The AFPHM Trainee Committee has continued its work advocating for high‑quality, equitable public health medicine training for all current trainees across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
With the planned introduction of the updated AFPHM Advanced Training Curriculum in Public Health Medicine in 2027, the Committee remains committed to ensuring future trainees experience a fair, supportive and accessible training program.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Dr Elly Layton for her outstanding leadership as Chair of the Trainee Committee from April 2023 to March 2026. We also congratulate her on receiving the 2026 AFPHM President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution by a trainee. Her sustained dedication and advocacy have significantly strengthened the training experience for public health medicine trainees.
We are pleased to introduce Dr Felix Ho as the new Chair of the Trainee Committee and Dr Sam Gerami as the new Deputy Chair. The Committee looks forward to their leadership and the continued momentum they will bring to trainee representation.
On behalf of the Committee, all current and prospective trainees are encouraged to connect with their jurisdictional representatives, share their ideas or raise any concerns. Trainee input ensures the Committee can effectively represent and advocate for the trainee community.
For general training enquires, email:
publichealth@racp.edu.au
Opening Soon
Aotearoa New Zealand Research Development Scholarship: to provide support and encourage research. Funds can be used for project support or stipend. Value: up to NZD$20,000 for 1 year. Opens Wednesday, 17 June 2026.
RACP MAIC Research Awards: funded by the Queensland Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) to support research into medical conditions and rehabilitation related to motor vehicle accidents.
Travel Grants: various grants available to AFPHM Fellows and trainees. Opens Wednesday, 17 June 2026.
John Snow Scholarship 2027: aims to increase the awareness among medical students to help them identify public health medicine as a medical specialty or potential career path. Opens Wednesday, 1 July 2026.
Keep an eye out for details of the John Snow Scholarship 2026 winner and finalists in the July newsletter.
Please refer to the RACP Foundation website for information on specific eligibility requirements for each award.
Upcoming AFPHM events
Explore our updated events list for a chance to gain valuable insights, grow your expertise, and connect with your colleagues. Each event is designed to inspire, inform, and elevate your professional journey.
Bi-National Education Program (Bi-NEP) 2026
Starting on April 16 and running every second Thursday through to August 20, each 1.5-hour session will provide valuable education and training opportunities, and the skills required to support your professional development. The webinars also offer AFPHM Advanced Trainees the chance to explore topics that may be covered in exams. Register here to attend the webinars and view the program speakers. Sessions will be recorded and available for viewing on Medflix.
AFPHM Gerry Murphy Prize Final 2026
The AFPHM Gerry Murphy Prize (GMP) Final will be held as a hybrid event, online and in Melbourne, on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, from 3pm to 4.30 pm (AEST). Support our AFPHM trainee finalists by registering to attend online or in person in Melbourne. The Gerry Murphy Prize is awarded annually to the best oral presentation by an Advanced Trainee of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (AFPHM).
AFPHM Trainees’ Annual Training Day
The AFPHM Annual Training Day (ATD) will be held in a hybrid format, online and in Melbourne, on Thursday, 18 June 2026 (full day) and Friday, 19 June (half day to 12.30pm). Details of the program outline, venue and a registration link will be shared with trainees shortly via email.
AFPHM Social dinner for Fellows and trainees
Some members have expressed interest in organising a self-funded Faculty social dinner in the Melbourne CBD following the Gerry Murphy Prize Final on Wednesday evening. Please register your interest by Monday, 4 May if you are interested in attending this social event so an appropriate venue can sourced.
Policy and Advocacy
Join the ASHM Health External Consultancy Pool
The Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) has established an External Consultancy Pool to create a diverse network dedicated to improving the development and delivery of their programs across education, training, clinical guidance, and global health.
AFPHM Fellows’ and trainees’ public health expertise is vital in shaping clinical responses to sexual health related illness. Visit the ASHM website for more information and to complete your expression of interest.
To get involved in Policy and Advocacy work, visit our Member Consultations webpage to view consultations that may be relevant to you.
AFPHM contact details
Member enquiries:
Phone: (AUS) 1300 69 7227
Phone: (NZ) 0508 69 7227
Email: memberservices@racp.edu.au
AFPHM Faculty enquiries (including Council and committees):
Julie Adams, Executive Officer
Email: afphm@racp.edu.au
AFPHM Education and Training enquiries:
Education Officer
Phone: +61 2 8247 6286
Email: publichealth@racp.edu.au
AFPHM Oral Examination enquiries:
Examination Coordinator, Assessment Services Unit
Phone: +61 2 9256 9681
Email: faculty.examinations@racp.edu.au
AFPHM training site accreditation inquiries:
Site Accreditation Unit
Phone: +61 2 9256 9674
Email: accreditation@racp.edu.au
AFPHM CPD enquiries:
Professional Practice
Phone: +61 2 8247 6285
Email: mycpd@racp.edu.au
Aotearoa New Zealand AFPHM Committee:
Aotearoa New Zealand Office
Phone: +64 4 472 6713
Email: nz_afphm@racp.org.nz