SALE local and Monash Rural Health lecturer, Casey Stubbs, has recently been awarded Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).
This internationally recognised achievement recognises Ms Stubbs’ commitment to training the next generation of rural medical professionals in Sale.
Growing up in Sale, Ms Stubbs is proud to be giving back to the community by sharing with students her experience in nursing after training and working in Melbourne at Monash Medical Centre’s intensive care unit and Sale Hospital through Central Gippsland Health.
After working as a nurse educator at Latrobe Regional Hospital, Ms Stubbs jumped at the opportunity to train undergraduate medical professionals with Monash Rural Health to help build their understanding and put theory into practice, as well as create positive experiences for them so that they return to work in Gippsland.
Currently, Ms Stubbs provides academic leadership for Year 3B and 5D medical students, supporting their learning as well as teaching clinical skills.
In addition to this, Ms Stubbs has developed resources and support for local tutors and supervisors so that they have a better understanding of the students’ curriculum, and can help students achieve their objectives while on clinical placements.
Ms Stubbs found the process of applying for her fellowship process very insightful, allowing her the opportunity to reflect on her teaching practice,” Ms Stubbs said.
“I had to reflect on what I do and how it links to learning theories that have influenced my practice along the way.
“I had never reflected on what I do like that, and it was nice to link what I have learnt through my own professional development with how I applied it in my current role.”
Speaking about her experience with Monash Rural Health, it is evident Ms Stubbs has a strong focus on supporting the growth of students.
“I have really enjoyed being able to watch the students grow throughout their degree (particularly those that stay in Gippsland), and develop their professional identities and grow to love the clinical environment,” she said.
“I have also loved getting to work with some truly amazing and inspiring people along the way.”
For Ms Stubbs, the HEA Fellowship highlighted that her efforts are recognised and valuable, and that continued professional development not only increases skills and knowledge, but is professionally beneficial in other ways.
In the future, she plans to further develop ways to enhance Monash students’ sense of belonging, and of being supported throughout their clinical placements in Sale.
Director of Education at Monash Rural Health, Dr Tammy Smith, congratulated Ms Stubbs on receiving her fellowship.
“Casey is committed to her many educational roles as teacher, academic coordinator for Year 3B at Sale and Academic Lead for Year 3B & 5D across Gippsland,” Dr Smith said.
“She is involved in teaching and research in Gippsland and more broadly across the school and faculty.
“A higher education academy fellowship is a truly fitting recognition of the diligence and tenacity she displays in her work every day, and of the exceptional standards to which she holds herself.
“Congratulations Casey, very well deserved. “
