Renowned surgeon joins Griffith as Chair in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery

Griffith University is proud to announce Dr Jason Fleming, a pioneer in robotic surgery, has joined the University as the inaugural Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Chair in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, and Director of a new Centre of Excellence.

Dr Fleming’s appointment is a joint role with Gold Coast Health, marking a five-year philanthropic partnership with the Passe & Williams Foundation.

Dr Fleming’s role within the Centre of Excellence will focus on delivering high-impact clinical research, medical and surgical training, and hospital-based specialist care.

As a surgeon-scientist, Dr Fleming’s work is centred on improving the precision of treatment selection and delivery across the spectrum of head and neck cancer with an interest in the responsible introduction of innovative surgical and therapeutic approaches.

This includes minimally invasive and robotic techniques, novel treatment platforms, biomarker-informed decision making and immune-based strategies.

As Chair, Dr Fleming will provide visible leadership across research, teaching and clinical translation which will position the University as a national contributor in a highly specialised medical field with philanthropic investment driving institution strength and reputation.

The benefits will reach beyond the higher education sector and to the patient’s bedside as the joint role will see research directly translate into real-world health outcomes with a tangible impact on South East Queensland’s health services.

Dr Fleming said: “There is clear synergy of my ambitions in this role with those of the Passe & Williams Foundation, in supporting early‑career researchers, backing major collaborations, and catalysing translational innovation.”

“I intend to contribute to the Foundation’s mission of keeping Australia (and Aoteroa New Zealand) at the forefront of world clinical and scientific practice, by positioning the Centre as a leading regional hub for ENT surgical science,” he said.

This will be achieved through strong international collaborations, dissemination of research at major national and global conferences, and a commitment to excellence in clinical training and research translation.

Professor Julian Archer, Griffith’s Head of School of Medicine and Dentistry, said Dr Fleming’s appointment was another great opportunity for the University and Gold Coast Health to further impact the patients and communities that we serve together.

“Dr Fleming brings an incredible depth of experience to the University as a Consultant Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgeon at the Liverpool University Hospital’s NHS Foundation in the United Kingdom who has also published more than 50 peer-reviewed publications,” Professor Archer said.

“Our students across the board will greatly benefit from his appointment, especially our Higher Degree Research students and PhD candidates.

“Additionally, Australia’s future health workforce will be in great hands as medical students and surgical trainees learn from Dr Fleming’s expertise.”

Dr Jeanette Pritchard, CEO of Passe & Williams Foundation, said: “We are thrilled with the appointment of Dr Fleming as the inaugural Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Chair at Griffith.”

“His track record in innovation and commitment to surgeon-scientist career pathways strongly align with our priorities.

“We are confident his leadership will drive significant advances in ENT across the region and beyond.”

Clinical Director for Head, Neck, Oral and Neurosurgery at Gold Coast Health, Dr Jim Hallam, said it will ensure Gold Coast head and neck patients will continue to receive world class care.

“This appointment is the first of its kind outside of an Australian capital city, and a significant step forward in ENT care as demand continues to grow across the region.

“Having someone with the extensive expertise of Dr Fleming step into this inaugural position both acknowledges and reinforces the need for high quality surgical care and training within our Gold Coast healthcare workforce.”

Dr Fleming became the first UK trainee to earn a North American Fellowship at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, one of the world’s busiest head and neck centres where he worked alongside pioneers in their field.

He brought his expertise back to England, becoming a national leader in transoral surgery and the first head and neck surgeon in Europe accredited on the new CE-marked Da Vinci Single Port system.

UN Sustainable Development Goals 3: Good Health and Well-being