Elizabeth Chester with Terry Slevin, CEO of the Public Health Association Australia
Congratulations to our Director of Communications and Development, Elizabeth Chester, who has been recognised at the Public Health Association of Australia WA awards for her outstanding effort progressing public health.
Ms Chester, who has been with the Institute for 18 years, received the Significant Contribution to Public Health Award at last night’s ceremony.
Director of The Kids Research Institute Australia, Professor Jonathan Carapetis said Ms Chester was a superb leader in public health communication, advocacy and translation.
“Elizabeth has had a pivotal role in positioning The Kids Research Institute Australia as a public health leader in the WA and Australian communities,” Professor Carapetis said.
“Moreover, she has been instrumental in the translation of many of the Institute’s research findings into policies and practices that, right now, are improving the lives of children around this state and country.”
Professor Carapetis said Ms Chester understood not only how to communicate public health messages to the broader community, but also how to target key opinion leaders and decision-makers.
“She is our go-to person in planning briefing sessions and policy asks of politicians and bureaucrats. Liz has coordinated systematic advocacy strategies based around evidence produced by Institute researchers over many years,” Professor Carapetis said.
“The plummeting rates of neural tube defects thanks to the fortification of bread flour with folate, the implementation of one of the world’s best vaccine adverse event surveillance systems, the move away from “robot babies” as a strategy to prevent teen pregnancy around the world, the increased focus on the mental health of LGBTQI young people, and dozens more translational outcomes have all had a significant boost because of Liz’s active leadership within The Kids.
“By recognising Liz Chester with this award, the PHAA has acknowledged the vital role of professional communicators in public health.”
Click here to read the PHAA’s media release.