Professor Dennis Pashen: Former NQ doctor dies in Tasmania swimming incident

A highly respected former North Queensland doctor who died in a swimming incident in Tasmania has been remembered as a “Legend of the Bush”.

Professor Dennis Pashen was the founding Director of the internationally recognised Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health (now the Centre for Rural and Remote Health) at James Cook University for 13 years.

A highly respected former North Queensland doctor who died in a swimming incident in Tasmania has been remembered as a “Legend of the Bush”.

Professor Dennis Pashen, who served as a doctor in Ingham for 20 years, died swimming to his dinghy off Kingfisher Beach at South Bruny on Thursday evening.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners President Dr Nicole Higgins said Professor Pashen was a “true leader in rural health and advocacy”.

“We would not be where we are in recognition for rural generalism without Dennis’ leadership or vision.”

She said he was a mentor, a fierce advocate, and a “clinician who inspired more than one generation of general practitioners and rural generalists”.

“He was also generous in sharing his time and ideas at all the rural conferences, and I’ll miss his perceptive vision for rural practice and how the medical professions can best serve our regional, rural, and remote communities.”

Professor Dennis Pashen with his dog Toby cruises the Channel area in Hobart.

The rural generalist was a RACP Fellow, former president of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and former president of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia.

After graduating from the University of Queensland, Professor Pashen worked as a rural generalist in Ingham and across Queensland, including as director of medical services for the South Burnett and Rural Darling Downs regions.

Dennis Pashen, former president of Rural Doctors Association of Australia. Picture: Supplied

He was named a “Legend of the Bush” by the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland for meritorious service to rural medicine and rural communities.

“There were few people who could match Dennis’ gravitas, experience, or strategic insight into the role and importance of rural generalism for the health of rural and remote communities,” RACGP Vice President and Rural Chair Associate Professor Michael Clements said.

Doctor Dennis Pashen. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Associate Professor Clements said Professor Pashen could connect the dots between clinical practice, academic research and politics.

“He was a mentor and inspiration to many of the current leaders in rural health and rural advocacy, and I personally benefited immensely form his support and encouragement,” he said.

“We hope the recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine will become another marker of Dennis’ legacy as a true rural generalist and icon of the profession.”

The RACGP said Professor Pashen was also a medical educator and examiner and taught as a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland.

He was the founding Director of the internationally recognised Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health (now the Centre for Rural and Remote Health) at James Cook University for 13 years.

Professor Pashen moved to Tasmania in the later stages of his career, retiring in 2022 after a 40-year career in rural general practice and medical education.

He is survived by his wife, Vicki Sheedy, and daughter.

Originally published as Professor Dennis Pashen: Former NQ doctor dies in Tasmania swimming incident