Rate My Professor Penelope Fotheringham

Dr Penelope Fotheringham is a dual trained medical specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Public Health Medicine. She serves as Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Central Coast Clinical School, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing at the University of Newcastle, commencing her academic role there in 2021. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Honours) and Master of Public Health from the University of Sydney, a Bachelor of Medical Science from the University of New South Wales, and a Master of Science in Infectious Diseases from the University of London. Currently pursuing a PhD in Medical Education at the University of Newcastle, her doctoral research examines health literacy in medical education, particularly related to sexual and reproductive health, to improve health professional understanding and patient experience. She has taught medical students at the University of Sydney since 2010 and lectures in the Masters of Medicine (Sexual and Reproductive Health).

Fotheringham's research interests include contraception, health literacy, obstetrics and gynaecology, public health, and sexual and reproductive health. Key publications feature 'Pharmacological Management of Obesity in Pregnancy: A Review of Current and Emerging Therapies' (Drugs, 2026), 'In situ and localized primary invasive pregnancy-associated melanoma: Maternal and perinatal outcomes' (Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2025), 'Outpatient models of care for pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum: a scoping review' (British Journal of Midwifery, 2025), and 'Pregnancy-associated gynecological cancer in New South Wales, Australia 1994-2013: A population-based historical cohort study' (Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 2024). Awards include the Clinical Leadership and Engagement, Academic Excellence Award (University of Newcastle, 2022), Early and Mid Career Teaching Award (College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, 2021), and Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine 2023 President's Award (2024). A Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (2017-present) and Australian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (2021-present), she contributes to RANZCOG and AFPHM committees, educational roles, and is a board member of Women's Plans Foundation. Her interests focus on health equity for disadvantaged groups impacted by social determinants.