Remembering Professor Geetha Ranmuthugala

The University of New England community was saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Geetha Ranmuthugala, who died recently after a long illness.

Professor Ranmuthugala was a longstanding member of the School of Medicine and Health and made a lasting contribution to medical education and rural health in Australia.

She joined UNE in 2015 as Deputy Head of the School of Rural Medicine and went on to serve as Head of School from 2017 to 2022. During this time, her leadership helped strengthen UNE’s role in developing the next generation of doctors for regional and rural communities.

It was under her leadership that the Joint Medical Program introduced the new Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD-JMP) degree at UNE. This milestone in regional medical education was delivered in partnership with the University of Newcastle, the Central Coast Local Health District and the Hunter New England Local Health District. 

As an epidemiologist, she was also instrumental in the establishment of the Q Fever Research Consortium in 2019, a collaboration between UNE, James Cook University, the University of Queensland and public health agencies. The consortium worked to better understand and manage Q fever in rural New South Wales and Queensland. Across her career, her work reflected a deep commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of people in regional Australia.

After leaving UNE in 2022, Professor Ranmuthugala took up a role with the University of Melbourne in Shepparton, while continuing as an Adjunct Professor at UNE and contributing to research and postgraduate supervision.

Geetha was a kind, generous and supportive leader and friend to many. She will be missed by her colleagues. She will be remembered for her intellect, generosity and dedication to her students and peers. Geetha approached her work with integrity and compassion, and her loss will be deeply felt by all who knew her.

She is survived by her two young sons.