ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY RELEASE
5 Nov 2012
Dr Christine Bennett, Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney (UND) has been named an Australian of the Year finalist for NSW.
"I feel very humbled and very proud to have been recognised in this way for my work in health and believe being selected as a finalist in NSW reflects the importance of health and healthcare to the Australian community," she says, adding that it has been a privilege to have had "the opportunity to make a difference."
Renowned for her passion and commitment to health, her people skills and for her extensive experience in clinical health, hospital management and medicine generally, prior to her appointment as Dean, Dr Bennett was well known to many Australians for her forthright and informed views on medicine as a regular guest on TV shows.
A specialist paediatrician, she has more than 25 years health industry experience in clinical care, strategic planning and senior management in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Throughout her career, Dr Bennett has also been actively involved child and family health, social policy, medical research and clinical governance.
Professor Celia Hammond, Vice Chancellor of the University of Notre Dame Australia, says she is delighted at the news and is full of praise for Dr Bennett's many notable achievements.
"It is a great honour for Dr Bennett to receive this well-deserved recognition. The University is extremely proud to have one of our academic leaders acknowledged for the outstanding contribution they make to their profession," she says adding that Dr Bennett's commitment to so many national health priorities is not just a matter of talk, but of taking action to make a difference.
Before taking up the position at UND as Dean of the Medical School, Dr Bennett was Chief Medical Officer for the Bupa Australia Group. From 2007-2008 she was Chair of the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission which was established by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to provide advice to the government on a long term blueprint for the future of the Australian Health System.
Dr Bennett continues to work tirelessly for health and the health of all Australians and is currently Chair of Research Australian, Chair of the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Chair of the Australian National Preventive Health Agency Advisory Council, the Bupa Health Foundation Steering Committee, a member of the Board of Obesity Australia and a Non-Executive Director of Bupa Health Dialogue.
"My passion for health reform at a national level never wanes," she says. "But the real reward comes from working on the frontline - shaping the next generation of doctors as Dean of Medicine, building a healthier community through investing in prevention, giving voice and priority to those in greatest need, and championing the importance of health and medical research."
Other finalists for the title of NSW Australian of the Year 2013 are media personality and President of Alzheimers Australia, Ita Buttrose; education pioneer Gemma Sisia who set up a school in Tanzania which educates 1500 of the nation's poorest children; and breast cancer pioneer and founder of Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Professor John Boyages.
Last year Fr Chris Riley of Youth off the Streets was named NSW's Australian of the Year with celebrated actor Geoffrey Rush the national recipient of Australian of the Year 2012.
The awards ceremony for NSW Australian of the Year 2013 will be held on Monday 26 November. The National Australian of the Year Awards will be held two months later on 25 January 2013, three days before Australia Day on 28 January 2013.
UNDA's Dean of Medicine Finalist in Australian of the Year Awards
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,5 Nov 2012
Dean of Notre Dame's Sydney Medical School, Professor Christine Bennett
"I feel very humbled and very proud to have been recognised in this way for my work in health and believe being selected as a finalist in NSW reflects the importance of health and healthcare to the Australian community," she says, adding that it has been a privilege to have had "the opportunity to make a difference."
Renowned for her passion and commitment to health, her people skills and for her extensive experience in clinical health, hospital management and medicine generally, prior to her appointment as Dean, Dr Bennett was well known to many Australians for her forthright and informed views on medicine as a regular guest on TV shows.
A specialist paediatrician, she has more than 25 years health industry experience in clinical care, strategic planning and senior management in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Throughout her career, Dr Bennett has also been actively involved child and family health, social policy, medical research and clinical governance.
Professor Celia Hammond, Vice Chancellor of the University of Notre Dame Australia, says she is delighted at the news and is full of praise for Dr Bennett's many notable achievements.
"It is a great honour for Dr Bennett to receive this well-deserved recognition. The University is extremely proud to have one of our academic leaders acknowledged for the outstanding contribution they make to their profession," she says adding that Dr Bennett's commitment to so many national health priorities is not just a matter of talk, but of taking action to make a difference.
Before taking up the position at UND as Dean of the Medical School, Dr Bennett was Chief Medical Officer for the Bupa Australia Group. From 2007-2008 she was Chair of the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission which was established by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to provide advice to the government on a long term blueprint for the future of the Australian Health System.
Professor Christine Bennett newly-appointed Chair of Sydney Children's Hospital Network
"My passion for health reform at a national level never wanes," she says. "But the real reward comes from working on the frontline - shaping the next generation of doctors as Dean of Medicine, building a healthier community through investing in prevention, giving voice and priority to those in greatest need, and championing the importance of health and medical research."
Other finalists for the title of NSW Australian of the Year 2013 are media personality and President of Alzheimers Australia, Ita Buttrose; education pioneer Gemma Sisia who set up a school in Tanzania which educates 1500 of the nation's poorest children; and breast cancer pioneer and founder of Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Professor John Boyages.
Last year Fr Chris Riley of Youth off the Streets was named NSW's Australian of the Year with celebrated actor Geoffrey Rush the national recipient of Australian of the Year 2012.
The awards ceremony for NSW Australian of the Year 2013 will be held on Monday 26 November. The National Australian of the Year Awards will be held two months later on 25 January 2013, three days before Australia Day on 28 January 2013.
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