Rate My Professor Sarah Larkins

Professor Sarah Larkins is an experienced research leader, academic general practitioner, and Professor of Health Systems Strengthening in the College of Medicine and Dentistry at James Cook University. She serves as Dean of the College of Medicine and Dentistry, Co-Director of the Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, and Convenor of the Clinical Leadership Group for the Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre. Her academic qualifications include a PhD and Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine from James Cook University, MBBS and Bachelor of Medical Science from the University of Melbourne, Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP and FARGP), and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Larkins has over 25 years of experience in research and general practice, primarily in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health settings. Her clinical career includes roles as General Practitioner at Gidgee Healing (2019-2021), Health and Wellbeing North Ward (2007-2019), and Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Services (1998-2007). Academically, she progressed from Senior Lecturer (2008-2010) and School of Medicine and Dentistry Honours Coordinator (2010-2012) to Director of Research and Postgraduate Education (2012-2014), Associate Professor (2011-2015), Associate Dean Research (2014-2019), Director of Research Development (2020-2022), and Dean (2021-present).

Her research specializations encompass health systems strengthening, rural health workforce, socially accountable health professional education, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, primary health care, maternal and child health, and research capacity strengthening. She is an internationally recognized expert in social accountability in health professional education and has secured more than $90 million in grant funding, producing over 130 research papers and several book chapters. Key publications include 'Does use of GP and specialist services vary across areas and according to individual socioeconomic position? A multilevel analysis using linked data in Australia' (Butler et al., BMJ Open, 2024), 'Mission and role modelling in producing a fit-for-purpose rural health workforce: perspectives from an international community of practice' (Larkins et al., Human Resources for Health, 2023), 'Democratising data to address health system inequities in Australia' (Topp et al., Medical Journal of Australia, 2023), and 'A qualitative exploration of the non-financial costs of cancer care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians' (Cummins et al., Australian Journal of Primary Health, 2023). Major awards and honors include the Office of Learning and Teaching National Program Award for JCU MBBS Program (2013), Highly Commended Research Australia Health Services Researcher of the Year (2022), NHMRC Public Health Postgraduate PhD Scholarship (2003), and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners National Registrar Research Prize (2003). She holds appointments such as NHMRC Research Committee member (2022-2024) and past co-chair of the Primary and Chronic Care Panel for National Living Evidence Guidelines for COVID-19.