Brian Maguire was 16 years old when he witnessed an accident, which got him thinking about becoming a paramedic.

"I saw a kid get hit by a bus and I felt like I should have known more about how to help," he said.

Professor of Paramedic Science Brian Maguire

Three decades on, Brian has not only worked as a paramedic in New York. He's also served as a hospital administrator, educator, author and consultant for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as for numerous public health departments, and state and local governments in the areas of bioterrorism, pandemic and disaster preparedness.

Now based in Australia, Professor Maguire has started a new career phase as Professor of Paramedic Science at CQUniversity, and he retains his role as Chair of the Network of Australasian Paramedic Academics (NAPA). 

He notes that Australian paramedics have good opportunities to transfer for professional development, as there are only a dozen or so paramedic agencies around the country, contrasting with the 15,000 agencies spread across the USA.

Dean of Medical and Applied Sciences Professor Grant Stanley said Professor Maguire developed one of the first undergraduate distance education programs in health administration in the United States, in the mid-1990s, and was the director of a graduate leadership program for a decade.

"Brian holds a doctoral degree in public health from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and a master's degree in health administration from Central Michigan University.

"He is an Australian-American Senior Fulbright Scholar and has been a university faculty member since 1994.

"His publications include articles and book chapters in the areas of policy, management, occupational injuries, clinical care and disaster preparedness.

"For two decades he worked in the New York City health care system as a hospital administrator, agency president, educator, operations supervisor and paramedic.

"Brian is also a pilot, Tae Kwon Do instructor, marathon runner and avid photographer."