1 July 2021, Melbourne: The Australian Global Health Alliance has today announced Professor Brendan Crabb AC as its incoming Chair.
The Australian Global Health Alliance is Australia’s pre-eminent peak body for global health organisations and fosters partnerships between these members which include universities, medical research institutes, WHO Collaborating Centres and international non-government organisations (INGOs).
Professor Crabb is the long-time Director and CEO of the Burnet Institute. He is a Fellow of the two learned Academies, Australian Academy of Science (FAA) and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (FAHMS) and is the former President of the Australian Association of Medical Research Institutes; (AAMRI) and is the current Chair of its Victorian Chapter. For the last six years he has served on the governing Council of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia.
Brendan remains the Chair of Pacific Friends of Global Health, an Alliance initiative that supports the advocacy efforts of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance and Unitaid in Australia.
“I take on this new role very enthusiastically. With COVID-19, it is more essential than ever that we emphasise to our government, and to the wider community, the importance of a sustained investment and prioritisation of global health; to Australians as well as to those we seek to support. Under the leadership of Professor Jane den Hollander AO and her team, the Alliance has become a powerhouse in Global Health advocacy and coordination, and it is now ideally placed to coordinate this message and unite our sector’s voice. I’m excited to help lead these efforts,” said Professor Crabb.
Outgoing Chair, Professor Jane den Hollander AO said: “I’m pleased to pass the baton to Brendan. His appointment marks a new era for the Alliance, as it resets with a new strategic focus. Brendan is a trusted and tireless champion for Global Health investment in Australia and our region, and his strong networks across government, medical research and international development will be vital to lead the Alliance into its next phase as our nation moves beyond the pandemic.”
The Alliance is also extremely pleased to announce Dr Selina Lo as the new Executive Director.
Selina joins the Alliance from her previous role as Senior Research Fellow at the Monash Sustainable Development Institute.
Dr Lo is a medical graduate from University of Melbourne and later trained in tropical medicine and hygiene in London. Dr Lo holds a post-graduate degree in public and international law focusing on trade, human rights, and health and is a consulting editor to The Lancet, focusing on Australia and global health. Dr Lo will take up her position in mid-July.
The Alliance Advisory Board thank Mary Harney, acting Executive Director, for her strong leadership of the Alliance during the past nine months and are reassured she will remain a close friend of the Alliance.
ENDS
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About the Australian Global Health Alliance
The Australian Global Health Alliance was established in 2016 under the leadership of the Hon. John Brumby AO and by global health leaders to coordinate and create partnerships between organisations that work towards achieving health equity. The Alliance fosters partnerships between these member organisations\ which include universities, medical research institutes, WHO Collaborating Centres and international non-government organisations (INGOs). Through partnerships and collaboration, our member organisations encourage and support health equity and health security in our region, utilising and promoting the institutional and disciplinary expertise of our members and sponsors.