Painaustralia – the national peak pain organisation working to improve the quality of life for Australia's 3.24 million people living with pain, their families and carers – is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Ian Chubb AC MSc DPhil (Oxford) FAA, FTSE, FACE, FRSN as Chairman Elect to the Board of Directors.
Professor Chubb was Australia's Chief Scientist for five years until 2016. Prior to that, he was Vice-Chancellor of the Australian National University for ten years; Vice-Chancellor of Flinders University of South Australia for six years and the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Provost) of Monash University for two years. While at Monash University, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics for 16 months.
Professor Chubb's research focused on the neurosciences, making him an excellent appointment in the area of understanding the science of pain and evidence-based treatments. His extensive achievements are outlined in the linked bio.
Professor Chubb will take over the Chairman role from Mr Robert Regan, Group General Counsel for a major listed public company, Painaustralia Board Director and Chairman for seven years.
Mr Regan said of Professor Chubb's appointment: 'Prof Chubb is an outstanding appointment to the Chairman's role at a time when pain is emerging as a major public health issue, the National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management is being considered by health ministers and the Federal Minister for Health the Hon Greg Hunt MP has pledged funding for Painaustralia to implement important pain awareness and education activities. Prof Chubb's experience and insights together with his record of achievement will hold Painaustralia in good stead in the coming years."
Mr Regan has been an exceptional Chairman of Painaustralia, leading key initiatives that have ensured better treatment of pain is on the national health agenda. His legacy lays a strong foundation for the future and encompasses:
· the development and implementation of Australia's first National Pain Strategy (2011)
· a national awareness campaign to support the upscheduling of codeine in Australia (2017-8)
· the development and launch of the first National Strategic Action Plan on Pain Management (2019) which is shortly to be considered by Australian Health Ministers
· the Cost of Pain in Australia Report (2019)
· development and implementation of a series of strategic plans including the Strategic Plan 2019-21.
Professor Chubb said 'pain is a complex and difficult area of healthcare requiring sophisticated and considered approaches across health and other sectors. I am looking forward to working with the medical, health, academic, research and consumer members and stakeholders in Painaustralia to make a real difference for those living with pain'.
