Southern Cross University welcomes new Head of Health and Human Sciences

Professor Jomeen, a distinguished researcher and experienced Dean, travelled with her family from the UK to Australia in late March to take on the multi-campus role at the Gold Coast, Lismore and Coffs Harbour on Australia’s east coast.

The day before her scheduled flight, the Australian government introduced the mandatory two-week isolation for new arrivals in the face of COVID-19, making for an unusual welcome for the Professor and her family within the confines of their new home on the Gold Coast.

The day Professor Jomeen emerged from quarantine was her first day on the job in a strange new world of social distancing and meeting new colleagues over zoom.

“It has been a surreal start to this role, however every crisis creates and opportunity and the importance of the healthcare workforce has never been more dominant than it is right now on the frontlines. This demonstrates the value of University health research and industry-ready graduates to ensure the best possible workforce for the delivering the best possible care,” Professor Jomeen said.

“It’s exciting to be with Southern Cross University as it begins to execute the Vice Chancellor’s new 2026 strategy. This strategy underpins the vision of our School to strengthen relationships and partnerships within our health districts and the broader healthcare sector, to be part of healthcare workforce solutions and give students excellent placement experiences.”

Professor Jomeen worked as a clinical nurse before becoming a midwife and completing a PhD. Her various leadership roles at Hull University included Dean of Health and Social Care and Dean of Health Sciences, incorporating sports health and exercise science, psychology and biomedical science.

In parallel to her post as Dean of Health at Southern Cross, she is also a Professor of Midwifery and brings vast knowledge from her research into the links between physiological and psychological health.

Health courses at Southern Cross University are delivered in state-of-the facilities include nursing, midwifery, sport and exercise science, biomedical science, clinical sciences, osteopathy, podiatry, pedorthics, speech pathology, occupational therapy, and Australia’s number one psychology degree according to the Federal Government QILT data and the Good Universities Guide. More than 15 postgraduate health courses including healthcare leadership and mental health nursing are also available.

The University recently launched its $12m Health Sciences Building in Coffs Harbour. Applications are now open for Session 2 study starting in July.