A/Prof John Smithson

A/Prof John Smithson is a senior academic leader, prescribing pharmacist, and registered nurse with more than 30 years of clinical experience and over two decades of leadership in health education and workforce development. He is currently Head of Pharmacy at James Cook University, where he leads a nationally recognised, multi-campus pharmacy program serving regional, rural, and remote communities.

A/Prof Smithson has made a substantial contribution to national scope of practice reform and pharmacist prescribing education. He continues to practise weekly as a prescribing pharmacist in community pharmacy, ensuring his leadership, teaching, and policy contributions remain firmly grounded in contemporary clinical care.

His professional interests span advanced clinical practice, prescribing education, workforce capability, and simulation-enhanced learning. He has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and has led significant government-funded initiatives supporting pharmacist prescribing and service transformation.

A/Prof Smithson brings extensive governance experience across university, professional, and community sectors, including service on national accreditation and regulatory bodies. He has held a range of senior academic leadership roles, contributing to accreditation, curriculum renewal, and quality assurance across multiple health disciplines. He is committed to strengthening the pharmacy profession’s role in delivering accessible, high-quality patient care.