Kerry Chant
Dr Kerry Chant | |
|---|---|
 Kerry Chant in 2020 | |
| Chief Health Officer of New South Wales | |
| Assumed office 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Greg Stewart |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | UNSW |
Kerry Gai Chant, PSM,[1] is a public health physician who is the chief health officer of New South Wales, Australia since 2008. She gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic providing regular public health advice for New South Wales, a contribution for which she was named the state's Woman of the Year in March 2021.[2]
Early life
Chant grew up in Punchbowl, New South Wales.[3] Chant attended the Danebank Anglican School for Girls graduating in 1980.[4] She worked in retail jobs and a pharmacy before studying medicine.[5] She attended the University of New South Wales where she completed a MB BS in 1987, a Master in Health Administration in 1991 and a Master of Public Health in 1995.[6]
Career
Chant has been with the New South Wales Health Department since 1991 working in the areas of virus infections, communicable diseases prevention and control and Indigenous health.[7] She is currently the Deputy Secretary, Population and Public Health and Chief Health Officer.[8] Prior to this, Chant was Director, Public Health Unit in Sydney South West Area Health Service; Director, Health Protection and Deputy Chief Health Officer. In 2013, she was threatened for advocating fluoridation of the water supply in the City of Lismore.[9]
Awards
In 2021 Chant was awarded the NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year, as well as the Woman of Excellence Award.[10] In 2020 she was awarded the UNSW Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Alumni Achievement.[11]
References
- ^ "Australian Honours". Australian Government, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 8 June 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Aubusson, Kate (10 March 2021). "Just what the doctor ordered: COVID-19 conqueror leaves NSW in a fine state". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ Robinson, Natasha (20 November 2020). "Local (health) heroes". The Weekend Australian. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
- ^ "Directions Magazine". Issuu. Danebank. 14 June 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Local (health) heroes: the women leading the fight". www.theaustralian.com.au. 22 November 2020.
- ^ "Chancellor's Award for Exceptional Alumni Achievement". School of Population Health, University of New South Wales. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Speakers - 2015 Innovation Symposium". www.health.nsw.gov.au.
- ^ "Dr Kerry Chant". Healthy Communities Mid North Coast. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ Hansen, Jane (12 September 2013). "NSW chief medical officer Dr Kerry Chant threatened and accosted after fluoride ban lifted in Lismore". dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ "NSW Chief Health Officer awarded the highest honour in 2021 Women of the Year Awards". NSW Government. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ "Chancellor's Award for Exceptional Alumni Achievement". School of Population Health, University of New South Wales. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)