Recognising his extensive work across clinical nursing and cancer research, Flinders University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Raymond Chan has been appointed to the National Health and Medical Research (NHMRC) Council.
Established to provide advice to the CEO, members are appointed for three years with the council consisting of the Commonwealth and state chief medical officers, alongside other members with expertise in medicine, nursing, business and Indigenous health.
A highly prestigious appointment, the council is the peak advisory body within the governance structure of the NHMRC, with Professor Chan also a member of the NHMRC's Research Committee from 2021 to 2024.
Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling congratulated Professor Chan on the appointment, highlighting it was not only a reflection of his expertise in cancer research, but also Flinders' leadership and contribution in the discipline in nursing.
"Professor Chan's work in cancer care is exactly the type of research we pride ourselves on at Flinders University, making a real-world impact on improving how people are treated within our health system," said Professor Stirling.
"Alongside his current leadership of our research portfolio, this new role will further allow him to impart his knowledge and expertise in order to shape the future of health and medical research in Australia."
A nurse-scientist with clinical experiences across cancer care, palliative care and aged care, Prof Chan's research program focuses on optimising models of care, and clinical, health service, and policy responses to address the needs of people affected by cancer.
To date, he has published over 260 peer reviewed articles and have been awarded over $40 million in research grants.
Currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Matthew Flinders Professor of Cancer Care, Systems and Policy, Professor Chan has previously held a number of clinician-academic roles in Queensland Health and Queensland University Technology, strengthening the nexus between translational research and clinical practice.
He currently serves as Executive Member of the Board of the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer and has previously served on the NHMRC Research Committee, during which he chaired the Health Priority Working Group on Multimorbidity.
In 2021, he was inducted to the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame and is currently Fellow of the American Nursing Academy and of the Australian College of Nursing.
"I am extremely honoured to have been granted this position. It's a testament to the strength of research being undertaken at Flinders University and I look forward to representing Flinders within the NHMRC and making a positive change to Australia's health and medical landscape," said Professor Chan.
