A career built from the ground up: Dr Jason Yates Reflects on 25 Years of JCU Medicine

When Dr Jason Yates walked through the doors of James Cook University’s fledgling medical school more than two decades ago, he was part of a bold experiment — the first cohort of a new generation of doctors, trained in the North for the North. 

“I reflect positively on my time at JCU for so many reasons," Dr Yates says. "Given it was the first new med school in so long and certainly the first new one in Queensland, there was a significant inferiority complex that we weren't as good as UQ. However, the faculty were amazing at making all of us feel like we belonged." 

That sense of belonging, mentorship, and family left a deep impression on the young medical student from North Queensland. "They treated the first cohort like family, helping us settle in, guiding us, and giving a level of support unlikely afforded at bigger medical schools," he recalls. 

Now, as the Acting Chief Operating Officer at Townsville Hospital and Health Service and a specialist paediatric endocrinologist, Dr Yates reflects with pride on how JCU Medicine shaped not just his career but also his philosophy of healthcare leadership. 

A pivotal conversation, early on, still stands out. "Professor Alan Sive talked to me about making a decision about medicine as a vocation rather than a career," Dr Yates says. "I hold that sentiment even today and hope that we can pass on that mentality to the new generation of doctors." 

Answering the Call of the North 

JCU's mission to serve rural, remote, and regional communities became a calling for Dr Yates. 

“JCU gave an opportunity to those born and bred in North Queensland to follow a career path that was usually far harder to pursue from our location," he says. "They gave us permission to stay, to serve, and to build sustainable careers right here." 

Dr Yates still loves the North Queensland lifestyle and continues to call Townsville home. 

"I feel privileged to provide a service to families in North Queensland that would have previously had to travel to Brisbane to receive," Dr Yates says. "I’m honoured to add value to a part of the world that has given me so much over my life." 

Throughout his career, Dr Yates has been deeply committed to advancing healthcare in the regions. He was the first paediatric accredited basic trainee at Townsville Hospital and Health Service, completing a significant portion of his training locally before further specialising at Brisbane’s Royal and Mater Children's Hospitals. 

Reflecting on the broader impact of JCU Medicine over the past 25 years, he points to the visible — and measurable — difference its graduates have made. 

"The proof is in the pudding. There is a significant number of JCU graduates working in regional parts of Australia across all specialties," he says. "But it’s not just about numbers — it’s about the deep commitment they show to their communities and the advocacy for regional services." 

Shaping Future Leaders, celebrating the legacy 

Leadership, too, has been a key part of Dr Yates' journey. He credits mentors like Professor Sive and Professor Tarun Sen Gupta for their encouragement and support, and he sees a unique strength in JCU’s clinical training model. 

"I've worked with students from several medical schools, and while some other cohorts are generally more mature, the JCU cohort are always far better clinically," he says. "That's testament to the curriculum designed prior to 2000 — it’s stood the test of time." 

As JCU Medicine celebrates its 25th anniversary on May 9-10, Dr Yates feels a deep sense of pride — both personally and professionally. 

"I am incredibly proud to be not only a JCU medical graduate but a member of the first cohort who were guinea pigs for how the program was designed and run," he says. "From our humble beginnings in a small room in the library to the amazing medical school it is today, I am forever grateful and indebted to JCU for giving me the career I now enjoy." 

Dr Yates will join fellow graduates from the first cohort right up to the most recent 2024 cohort for JCU Medicine’s 25-year Anniversary Celebrations. Current students, esteemed alumni, and cherished supporters are invited to join in the celebrations on May 9-10. Let's honour the remarkable achievements JCU Medicine has accomplished and look forward to a future of continued medical excellence. 

This event is proudly sponsored by NQRTH and Private Emergency Health Australia. Find tickets here: https://bit.ly/4hu22nK 

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