Vale Dennis Pashen

He forged a path for the next generation of rural generalists, but today Professor Dennis Pashen is being remembered for his contribution to medicine, his ‘gravatas’, and his advocacy for the communities in which he served.
 
GPs across the country are mourning the loss of the RACGP Fellow, past President of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), and former President of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia, after he died on Thursday evening.
 
RACGP Vice President and Rural Chair Associate Professor Michael Clements said he had personally benefited from Professor Pashen’s support and encouragement.
 
‘There were few people who could match Dennis’ gravitas, experience, or strategic insight into the role and importance of rural generalism for the health of rural and remote communities,’ he said.
 
‘He could connect the dots between clinical practice, academic research, and politics.
 
‘He was a mentor and inspiration to many of the current leaders in rural health and rural advocacy.’
 
Professor Pashen graduated from the University of Queensland, before working as a rural generalist and medical educator across the state, including as Director of Medical Services for the South Burnett and Rural Darling Downs regions.
 
He went on to become Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland and was the founding Director of the internationally recognised Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health (MICRRH) at James Cook University, now the Centre for Rural and Remote Health.
 
Professor Pashen was also a founding member of ACRRM and faculty and committee member at the RACGP.
 
One of his greatest achievements was helping to lead the push for formal recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine (RGM) as a specialist field within general practice.
 
A public consultation period on its recognition is currently underway, closing 12 December.
 
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said Professor Pashen was a true leader in rural health and advocacy.
 
‘We would not be where we are in recognition for rural generalism without Dennis’ leadership or vision,’ she said.
 
‘He was a mentor, a fierce advocate, and a clinician who inspired more than one generation of GPs and rural generalists.
 
‘He was also generous in sharing his time and ideas at all the rural conferences, and I’ll miss his perceptive vision for rural practice and how the medical professions can best serve our regional, rural, and remote communities.’
 
Professor Pashen moved to Tasmania in 2006, and last year was named Tasmanian Rural Doctor of the Year.
 
He retired in 2022 after dedicating four decades of his life to general practice and medical education.
 
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