Dr. Joanna Mills

Dr. Joanna Mills is a Medical Officer in the Australian Public Service and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the ANU School of Medicine and Psychology. She holds a M.B.B.S., M.Phil., and Ph.D. from the University of Sydney, as well as a B.A. (Honours) in Psychology from Georgetown University, USA. 

Dr. Mills has an accomplished clinical and and academic background, with a proven track record of securing prestigious research funding, including the Australian Awards Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship. Her work has supported collaborations with internationally renowned institutions such as the Max Planck Institute (Germany), the Karolinska Institute (Sweden), and the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (Australia).

Her research focuses on improving patient care and health system performance through rigorous evaluation and health services research. She examines clinical practice variations, healthcare costs, and patient-reported outcomes, aiming to address disparities and inform evidence-based improvements in healthcare delivery.

Dr. Mills is also dedicated to medical education, having taught quantitative research methods in the Honours program for the University of Sydney School of Health Sciences. At the ANU, she is a clinical research supervisor for undergraduate and postgraduate students, including through the ACT Health Vacation Study Program and MChD degree. She is committed to fostering a supportive and innovative learning environment for future health leaders.

Dr. Mills is also a Specialist Trainee of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators and is currently completing a Master of Public Health at the University of New South Wales as part of her ongoing professional development. 

Current Projects:

Executive Leadership: The Value of Clinicians in Government Health Policy and Strategy Roles

Mapping the Future: International Medical Graduate Intake Against Australia's Specialist Workforce Demands

Under pressure: Longitudinal trends in medical supervisory burden and the hospital non-specialist doctor workforce in Australia

Keeping Local Talent: Career Intentions and Retention Among Medical Students

• Variations in clinical practice
• Medical education and workforce development
• Patient-centred outcome measures
• Evidence-informed healthcare decision-making
• Health system costs and clinician wellbeing

B.A. (Hons.), M.Phil., M.B.B.S., Ph.D.