Professor Mark McKenna

Provost, Fremantle Campus, Executive Dean
College of Medicine

Dr Mark McKenna is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist who has worked at the University of Melbourne from 1987 to 1989 and at the University of Western Australia from 1990 to 1997. He has a longstanding interest in education for the health professions, being Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at UWA from 1995 to 1997. He was appointed as Foundation Professor for the Notre Dame School of Medicine in 2001. He has subsequently been Dean of the College of Health and Dean of the College of Medicine. He continues in medical practice, with the assistance of his partner Dr Chris Nichols covering while he does his University work, and the support of his wife and his five daughters.

His clinical interests are in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, his education interests are particularly in the personal and professional development of health professionals. He has held a number of professional positions including being a member of the Board of Examiners and Federal Counsellor for his Specialist College, member of the WA Reproductive Technology Council since 1990, and a member or chair of Medical Quality and Safety committees at a number of hospitals.

He notes that he agreed to be the Foundation Head (Planning) of Medicine at Notre Dame in late September 2001, at a time when practically everyone was looking to contribute something to make the world a better and happier place. He is grateful that his association with Notre Dame has, in his view, allowed that.