Robyn Ward to contribute to national healthcare research strategy

Executive Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor Medicine and Health, Professor Robyn Ward, has been appointed to the Vision 2040 Strategic Advisory Committee, to help set research directions for policy and funding bodies across governments, and the not-for-profit and private sectors.

The Australian Government recently announced the members of the strategic advisory committee to develop the nation’s strategy for health and medical research for the next two decades – the Vision 2040 Strategy.

The Vision 2040 Strategy will provide a holistic perspective that will integrate health and medical research – from theoretical to applied – at a national level to deliver a common vision for the next two decades.

Working in collaboration with the Department of Health, the Strategic Advisory Committee will consult widely with stakeholders, review the sector, and provide recommendations in setting out a long-term vision for health and medical research.

Professor Kathy Belov, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Sydney congratulated Professor Ward on the appointment:

“Congratulations to Professor Ward on her appointment, her extensive experience and broad knowledge will be such a fantastic asset for driving the strategy, and the vision of health and medical research in Australia.”

Professor Ward said she was looking forward to working with the advisory committee to contribute to this important initiative

“Research must address immediate needs, but it also needs to take a long-term approach to health care,” Professor Ward said.

“I look forward to working collaboratively across government, industry and the higher education sector, through this committee, to help ensure Australia’s health care continues to be the best in the world.”

Professor Ward (AM, FAHMS) is currently Chair of the Commonwealth Medical Services Advisory Committee and member of the executive of the Council of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

The Strategic Advisory Committee members have a breadth of experience and expertise from across the fields of medical research, Indigenous health, entrepreneurship and innovation, the consumer sector, and the economy.

The Strategic Advisory Committee members are:

• Dr Katherine Woodthorpe (Chair)
• Dr Janine Mohamed
• Professor Carol Hodgson
• Ms Jan Donovan
• Professor Vlado Perkovic
• Professor Robyn Ward
• Professor Danny Liew
• Ms Nadia Levin