PRESS RELEASE: Leadership beyond boundaries – honouring Professor John Deeble

Many challenges face health and health systems right now, and there are more ahead. The issues impacting us are not unique to Australia and the increasingly complex problems of the future will need more collaboration, agility and wider networks than ever before.

With this in mind, the Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research, the research arm of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association, is pleased to present the 2024 John Deeble Lecture and Panel Discussions, to be held on 15 October 2024 at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra. Themed ‘Beyond boundaries – leadership for health’, the event will bring together current leaders and changemakers to discuss tackling some of the greatest health and care challenges currently facing mankind.

‘The event is held in honour of Professor John Deeble, a man whose work has had a profound impact on the health of every Australian. Authoring the original proposals for universal health insurance, which many now know as Medicare, he was driven by principles of universal coverage, equity of access and affordable care,’ says AHHA Chief Executive Ms Kylie Woolcock.

‘It is these principles that continue to drive our focus today. And at the heart of this year’s event is the belief that leaders can create positive change in their communities and the world, faster together.’

‘So much around us encourages silos, division, separation – we must realise the great strength of the wider Australian and global community.’

‘Whether it be COVID-19, natural disasters, workforce shortages or strain within the health system itself, we also need to ensure our emerging leaders are prepared, supported and connected to face these increasingly complex challenges,’ says Ms Woolcock.

The 2024 John Deeble Lecture will be delivered by Professor Jonathon Gray, Director of the Commonwealth Leadership Institute. Jonathon will reflect on what it means to be a leader, and the strength and support leaders need in times of crisis. Following the Lecture, Panel Discussions will focus on the leadership required to drive health equity and innovation, to respond to national disasters and emergencies, and to address global challenges for local health security.

Speakers across diverse sectors will come together to discuss leadership for health, including:

RADM Sonya Bennett AM Commander Joint Health Surgeon General (ADF)
Dr Lucas de Toca (Global Ambassador for Health, Dept Foreign Affairs and Trade)
Dr Alicia Veasey (Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Northern NSW LHD)
Mr Andrew Denton (Go Gentle Australia)
Prof Brian Abbey (NHMRC Leadership Fellow, LaTrobe University)
Dr Mataroria Lyndon (Cofounder, Tend Health New Zealand)

Speaker biographies available here: https://ahha.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-John-Deeble-Lecture-and-Panel-Discussion-Biographies.pdf

The day will also see the presentation of the 2024 Sidney Sax Medal. Awarded annually since 1986, the Sidney Sax medal recognises outstanding contributions to developing and improving the Australian healthcare system in health services.

For more information on the 2024 John Deeble Lecture and Panel Discussions and registrations, visit the AHHA website: https://ahha.asn.au/event/2024-john-deeble-lecture-and-panel-discussion/