23 Nov 2020
Doherty Institute staff recognised in MDHS Excellence Awards
Two Doherty Institute teams have been recognised in the University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS) Excellence Awards for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Led by Professor Jodie McVernon, Director of Doherty Epidemiology and Professor James McCaw, Professor of Mathematical Biology, a team that included public health modellers and researchers from the Doherty Institute, the School of Population and Global Health, the School of Mathematics and Statistics and the School of Computing and Information Systems for providing modelling to the Australian Government for pandemic preparedness and response activities.
“It’s a privilege to be recognised by MDHS for the Award for Excellence in Engagement – Partnerships. Our long-standing research partnership with the Australian Government to support modelling-informed influenza preparedness put us in a great position to react quickly and efficiently on COVID-19,” Professor McVernon said.
“Our team has worked tirelessly, well into the night on some occasions – I can speak on everyone’s behalf to say we are thrilled with this acknowledgement.”
The Doherty Institute Communications Team were presented the Award for Excellence in Engagement – Public Value for the Institute’s COVID-19 communications strategy, successfully engaging and influencing the public and other key stakeholders beyond the academy.
Doherty Institute Communications Manager Rebecca Elliott said leading the communications strategy to inform the community of the Doherty Institute’s public health and research response to COVID-19 has been exceptionally rewarding and humbling.
“From our bedrooms, loungerooms and kitchens we worked virtually side-by-side with our public health and research colleagues and we remain in awe of their hard work and dedication to the response,” Miss Elliott said.
Professor Sharon Lewin, Doherty Institute Director said she was incredibly proud of both team’s achievements leading up to and in 2020.
“It’s so pleasing to see the Doherty Institute having a direct impact on the community and in policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. I offer my warm congratulations to Jodie, Rebecca and their respective teams on this well-deserved recognition,” Professor Lewin said.