Western Sydney sexual health educator is top of the class

Western Sydney doctors are at the forefront of global sexual health issues thanks to the education provided by an award winning teacher from Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD).

Dr Shailendra Sawleshwarkar recently took home the University of Sydney Medical School ‘Postgraduate Award for Excellence in Teaching’.

Shailendra was recognised for his outstanding work as the director of the Postgraduate Program in Sexual and Reproductive Health, where he provides a unique learning experience for clinicians and students interested in HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexual and reproductive health.

“I’m very humbled by this award but I think it belongs to the whole sexual and reproductive health team,” Shailendra said.

“Globally, the challenges of sexual health including sexually transmitted infections, HIV and antimicrobial resistance continue to be significant public health issues, so I’m really pleased to be part of a team addressing this.”

The postgraduate program is based at the Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre and is run in close partnership with WSLHD clinicians and staff.

Students can choose from a range of units to address the challenges of sexual health through four distinct pathways: STIs and HIV, Psychosexual Therapy, Reproductive Health and Infertility, and Public Health.

Alumni from the program work at many sexual health clinics across Australia.

Under Shailendra’s leadership, the course has introduced several innovative teaching and learning methods and new cross-disciplinary education programs, including short courses in HIV, STIs, sexual and reproductive health.

In doing this he has gained improved student feedback and achieved significant growth in student numbers and engagement.

“We plan to offer professional certificates and short courses on key areas focusing on specialists as well as general practitioners to upskill in STIs and sexual medicine,” Shailendra said.

“We would like to focus on the western Sydney GPs and build on the University of Sydney and University of Washington joint short course that we offer in Westmead.”

If you would like to know more about Dr Shailendra Sawleshwarkar and his work, head to https://sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/about/our-people/academic-staff/shailendra-sawleshwarkar.html