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Alumni Award for Service to Humanity
Commitment to helping others
This award recognises the personal contributions of alumni who, through service or philanthropy, improve the lives of those in need.
To be eligible, nominees must meet the following selection criteria:
- Nominees must have graduated from the University of Sydney.
- Nominees demonstrate significant involvement in projects that enrich local or international communities through activities such as volunteering, philanthropy and service to the community.
2024 winner
Dr Richard Brennan AO
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery '84
Regional Emergency Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization
What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Do not neglect your spiritual life. As you get caught up in the pressures of study, work, family life, and social life, reserve some time each day – regardless of how short – to reflect, meditate or pray. Feeding your soul daily will be an enormous help in your personal and professional development, and in your relationships.
So many happy memories. Being introduced to the fascinating field of medicine and the enormous amount of learning was a true privilege. But I also loved the many laughs with friends during our breaks at uni and at the hospital, and our lunch-time touch footy games on the main oval at uni between classes.
Retirement is upon me in November, as this is mandatory at 65 years when working with WHO and the United Nations. My wife, Kim, and I will take a break of 6 months or so and then I will reflect more on what is to follow. Definitely, I would like to do some teaching and writing, and I am very pleased to have an honorary post at the university. I will also do consultancies and field work on emergencies, but will not make any commitments until 2025.
Biography
Dr Richard Brennan AO is the Regional Emergency Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization (WHO). He has three decades of dedicated humanitarian service, including seven years at WHO headquarters as Director of Emergency Operations, Director of Ebola Coordination and Response and Director of Emergency Risk Management and Humanitarian Response.
Rick obtained his medical degree at the University of Sydney after which he completed emergency medicine training. He then undertook a clinical and research fellowship in the United States, returning to Australia as a staff specialist at Westmead Hospital. After several humanitarian missions, he completed a Master of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University and then joined the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to work on humanitarian, disaster management, and civil-military issues.
Feeding your soul daily will be an enormous help in your personal and professional development, and in your relationships.
Dr Richard Brennan AO
Subsequently, Rick served as the Health Director of the International Rescue Committee in New York for ten years, overseeing support to humanitarian programmes worldwide, followed by two and half years in Liberia with JSI Research and Training, managing a major post-conflict health system reconstruction project.
He has served with the WHO for 12 years. In 2014, he received the Office of the Order of Australia in recognition of his distinguished humanitarian Service across 35 countries.
At the end of 2024, Rick will retire. He has accepted an honorary title from the University of Sydney, and will work as an affiliate with the Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute.