James Padley joins the College of Medicine and Public Health as the Program Lead for the South Australian Rural Medical (SARM) Program. He is a rural doctor and academic, and for the past few years, he has been working in the north of the state with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, as well as with the Adelaide Rural Clinical School in medical education.
What is your role and what does your work focus on?
My role as Program Lead for SARM will focus on the bold new initiative for end-to-end rural medical training in SA commencing in 2025 – this will see medical students based in rural communities in SA from day 1 of medical school, living and learning locally, for their four-year graduate MD degree.
Where did you work before joining CMPH?
I have been working as a rural doctor for many years, in all parts of SA but mostly with the Royal Flying Doctor Service based out of Port Augusta, and as a procedural GP in the Barossa and Adelaide Hills. I have been involved in medical education for a long time, and am no stranger to Flinders having been involved in MD teaching and as a learning coach for medical students since 2018, and subsequently coordinating the rural community placement program (PRCC) in 2019 and 2020. In the last few years I have been leading a novel pre-clinical education program with the Adelaide Rural Clinical School in the north of the state, with a strong focus on working with local health services including Aboriginal and First Nations community partners.
What journey brought you to this point in your career?
I often ask myself that question! The answer is a mixture of serendipity, hard work, compromise, and supportive mentors. I have been lucky to have had an amazing academic mentor, Professor Lucie Walters, who has supported my journey in medical education and leadership since day 1.
What is something you love most about your work?
Seeing the light and inspiration in students and junior doctors – whether it is understanding a difficult concept, developing confidence in the clinical environment, or overcoming challenges – this is at the heart of what we do as educators. And apart from that, working in a strong and supportive team means it doesn’t feel like ‘coming to work’.
How do you like to relax or spend your spare time?
I love to play music and write and record original music as well. Spending time with my two growing kids keeps me on my toes. And if I had an endless amount of time – I’d like to write a book one day. Everyone has a good story in them!