Southern Cross University’s new recruit lands in COVID-19’s new world

The different lifestyles between the UK and the Gold Coast are drastic, but when Professor Julie Jomeen made the move across the world it was like she had landed on another planet.

THE lifestyles between the UK and the Gold Coast are drastic, but when Professor Julie Jomeen made the move across the world it was like she had landed on another planet.

Prof Jomeen arrived in Australia in late March with her family to take up her new role as head of health and human sciences at Southern Cross University.

The day before her scheduled flight, the Australian Government introduced the mandatory two-week isolation for new arrivals in the face of COVID-19.

Southern Cross University welcomes Professor Julie Jomeen from the UK to take up her role as Head of School of Health and Human Sciences. Supplied

After quarantine in her new home on the Gold Coast, Prof Jomeen said she started her first day on the job in a strange new world of social distancing and meeting new colleagues on Zoom.

“It has been a surreal start to this role. However, every crisis creates an opportunity.

“The importance of the healthcare workforce has never been more dominant than it is right now on the front lines.”

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Southern Cross University students Issac Hawkins and Taliha Parsons. Picture: Scott Powick

With the experience of her various roles at Hull University in England and PhD research into the links between physiological and psychological health, Prof Jomeen is looking forward to helping students make an impact on Australia’s health system.

“This (COVID-19) demonstrates the value of university health research and industry-ready graduates to ensure the best possible workforce for the delivering the best possible care,” Prof Jomeen said.