Jane Stephens

Master of Health and Medical Law

Chief Executive Officer
AMA Victoria Ltd

What is your professional education and work background?
BA, LLB Hons, LLM, GDip Ed, GDip Bus Admin
 
I first worked as a teacher of Communications and English, in the TAFE system. I undertook a management qualification, and very much liked the commercial law subject, so I applied to do Law at Melbourne, and undertook this as a mature age student, in conjunction with my first NFP management roles, first with the Australian Booksellers Association then at the Student Union at Melbourne,  I then moved into senior management at the University, including having responsibility for the legal, audit and compliance functions. I then went to Engineers Australia, as Executive Director of their Victorian branch, and from there to AMA Victoria as CEO.
 
How did you come about studying with Melbourne Law School?  
The Masters in Health & Medical law was an excellent fit with my work - we undertake a great deal of policy and legal work at the AMA.

Describe your experience of studying in the Melbourne Law Masters.

- What have been the highlights so far? 
The highlights were the aspects of the studies relating to ethics.  The human highlights were the other students and the lecturers - all very bright, all very interesting to get to know.

- What have you enjoyed most?
The research for the long essays - one could read endlessly about some of the topics.

- How have you found our teaching staff?
All very eminent in their fields and generally a very high standard of teaching.

Why did you choose to undertake the subjects you did? Were they particularly relevant to your field of work, believed they would fulfill a passion in that area etc.?
They were very relevant to my work - all were chosen for their relevance, and in every case I have been able to use my research to further AMA work.

What networking opportunities has the Melbourne Law Masters provided you with? 
Quite a few, mostly other people working in health.

What do you enjoy most about your current role? 
The diversity of AMA activities, and the almost daily challenges thrown at us by the system, by our members and by politicians.

How do you think your studies will help you in your current role and in the future?
My knowledge of a number of medico-legal issues has increased considerably.

What if anything, surprised you about studying with us?
Most of the lecturers wrote very detailed commentaries on returned essays, which was useful.

Any other comments?
I very much enjoyed undertaking the course, and surprised myself with my new found ability to write very long essays and enjoy doing them.