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Announced today at the Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference in Adelaide, the award places importance on fostering emerging leaders to continue to develop leadership that is bold, innovative, inclusive and that inspires collaboration in the sector.

Adjunct Associate Professor Levinia Crooks, AM worked for 30 years as a champion for people’s rights in the health sector particularly in the areas of HIV, viral hepatitis and sexual health. She passed way in October 2017 after a long illness.

Jennifer currently leads the National Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project, which estimates the burden of disease, access to diagnosis and care and uptake of treatment for chronic hepatitis B and C across Australia, and guides the measurement of Australia’s strategic response to chronic hepatitis B and C.

“I’m really honoured to receive the Levinia Crooks memorial award, it’s a real privilege and I’m really excited to continue to work in viral hepatitis,” Jennifer said.

Associate Professor Ben Cowie, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis at the Doherty Institute said this award is recognition of Jennifer’s outstanding contribution to the viral hepatitis sector.

“By generating innovative data to inform actions to improve access to care for people living with viral hepatitis, and for contributing to the broader response to viral hepatitis in Australia and internationally, Jenn is truly an emerging leader in her field,” Associate Professor Cowie said.

“Our friend and comrade Levinia Crooks, who personally supported and championed the relevance of Jenn’s work, would be so proud of her today.”