Australians working throughout diabetes care, endocrinology, vascular drugs and First Nations well being have been recognised within the 2026 Australia Day Honours.
Diabetes Australia congratulates these award recipients who replicate the depth of experience that’s addressing diabetes as some of the pressing and complicated well being challenges going through Australia.
Amongst these recognised is Professor Shirley Jansen of Western Australia, appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to vascular surgical procedure and cardiovascular science. Professor Jansen is Professor of Vascular Surgical procedure and Director of the Coronary heart and Vascular Analysis Institute at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and co lead of Cardiovascular Science and Diabetes on the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Analysis. Her work sits on the intersection of diabetes, cardiovascular illness and medical analysis, strengthening understanding of issues that have an effect on hundreds of Australians annually.
Queensland well being chief Floyd Leedie has additionally been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for vital service to Indigenous well being in Queensland. As CEO of Goondir Well being Service since 2008, Mr Leedie has led the supply of culturally protected major well being care throughout regional Queensland, supporting communities the place diabetes prevalence and issues stay disproportionately excessive. Diabetes Australia is proud to have been related to this work at Goondir Well being by way of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement staff.
Dr Kunwarjit Singh Sangla of Queensland has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for vital service to endocrinology and to rural and Indigenous communities in Queensland.
For greater than 25 years, Dr Sangla has delivered specialist diabetes care by way of nose to nose outreach clinics throughout Central, West and North Queensland, complemented by telehealth and ongoing medical help for sufferers and practitioners. His work has expanded entry to specialist care in a number of the most distant elements of the state.
In New South Wales, Shirley Brown has been awarded the Public Service Medal for excellent public service to well being in nursing and power care providers. An Aboriginal Continual Care nurse with Western Sydney Native Well being District, Ms Brown works on the Mount Druitt Neighborhood Well being Centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Monday Clinic, delivering culturally acceptable diabetes care and long run help.
Collectively, these honours spotlight the crucial position of medical management, analysis excellence and community-focused care in decreasing the impression of diabetes and bettering well being outcomes throughout Australia.
