Author: James Fitzpatrick

Dr James Fitzpatrick is a full-time Paediatric doctor at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth and PhD candidate with the University of Sydney.  In 2001 James was named Young Australian of the Year for his longstanding dedication to addressing rural and Indigenous health issues. He recently led a federally funded project aimed at improving the lives of children living in remote Indigenous communities in the WA Kimberley, in partnership with local community organisations and national research institutes. The work involved estimating for the first time in Australia the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the 40 remote communities of the Fitzroy Valley.  Having documented the prevalence of FASD, James is now working with health and education partners to develop a child health clinic run in schools to help young people to reach their educational potential.