Celebrating the career of Associate Professor Eleanor Flynn

We celebrated the contribution of Associate Professor Eleanor Flynn on 11 December 2018 with a retirement farewell. Eleanor has been a key member of the medical course since 1999 and we would like to thank her for her dedication and commitment.

Associate Professor Eleanor Flynn joined the Faculty Education Unit in 1999, as the new problem-based learning curriculum was being developed for the MBBS. Throughout the many and varied incarnations of medical education in the Faculty, Eleanor has been a valued member of the academic staff. With her background in Aged Care, Palliative Care and Medical Administration, as well as her qualifications in education and theology she has brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the Department of Medical Education.

Eleanor led the development of the innovative Aged Care curriculum in both the MBBS and the MD.  With her enthusiasm, warmth and collegiality she tackled the difficult task of bringing together clinicians from disparate specialties in this new venture. Her belief that doctors need education in death as well as in life has informed her approach to Palliative Care in the curriculum.

She developed the Multi Mini Interview as a robust selection tool to ensure that our students have the potential to develop into professional, ethical and empathic doctors. The smooth running of over 600 interviews every year owes much to her leadership. Continuing the theme of professionalism Eleanor devised and led, with Dr Barbara Goss, the implementation of Empathic Practice as a stream throughout second year.

With her varied responsibilities within the MD Eleanor found time to combine her passion for teaching and art. She worked with Dr Heather Gaunt on a pilot program in third year using artefacts of the Potter Museum of Art as a basis for challenging students to develop skills in visual awareness and empathy.

With her interests in medieval art, music, theology, her passion for travel and new experiences, there is little danger that retirement will lead to boredom or a slowing of pace.

We thank her for her considerable contribution to the education of our future doctors.