St Mary’s School of Medicine Signs MoU with Australian Health Network

The School of Medicine at St Mary’s University, London has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Australia’s Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN), to strengthen international collaboration in healthcare education, clinical practice, research and workforce development.

The MoU provides a framework for exploring a reciprocal academic exchange programme, creating opportunities for St Mary’s students and RMCLHN Trainee Medical Officers (TMOs) to undertake exchange placements at each location, furthering their academic and clinical experience.

Further areas for collaboration include joint research, teaching, mentoring and professional development, with a focus on sharing best practice, improving healthcare delivery and supporting the development of a skilled and sustainable healthcare workforce.

St Mary’s Executive Dean of Medicine Professor Sonia Kumar, said, “I am delighted to have signed this agreement with the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network, which I am confident will bring significant benefits to both organisations. I hope to see students benefit from valuable placement opportunities, and academics and healthcare practitioners collaborating on teaching, research and professional development in the years ahead.

“Working with RMCLHN reflects our commitment to social accountability at St Mary’s, ensuring that our teaching, research and wider activities respond to the priority health needs of the communities we each serve.”

RMCLHN is responsible for delivering public hospital and community-based healthcare services across the Riverland Mallee Coorong region of South Australia. The network serves approximately 72,000 people across the Riverland, Murray River, Lakes and Coorong areas. RMCLHN is recognised globally as a centre of excellence in rural health through its Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence (RACE) initiative.

St Mary's London School of Medicine launched in September 2026 and strives to combine clinical excellence with a deep understanding of people, communities and the factors that shape health, developing future doctors who are committed to serving where they are needed most.

RMCLHN CEO, Wayne Champion PSM, said the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network was committed to providing the best possible care to its population in rural South Australia.

“Our partnership with St Mary’s London School of Medicine helps provides global clinical education and research opportunities that both organisations can benefit from into the future,” he said.