Telstra Health has announced its inaugural 2021 Brilliant Women in Digital Health awards program, designed to recognise and celebrate women working in digital health across Australia.
The initiative, driven by the Brilliant Connected Women in Digital Health network, will celebrate women for their achievements in digital health, whether it be mentoring, medical research, contributing to technology development, improving health outcomes, or introducing new digital process for the delivery of health and aged care.
Nominations for the awards program are now open until Friday 16 July, with individuals able to both self-nominate or nominate another person. The awards will recognise twenty-five women in digital health, selected by four notable judges across the health and aged care sectors.
“We have launched these awards to recognise the contributions of brilliant women working in digital health across Australia: to recognise the way they’re improving lives; and to encourage more women to take up rewarding careers in STEM,” said Professor Mary Foley AM, Managing Director of Telstra Health.
The nominees will be judged by Professor Christine Bennett AO, a Director of the Telstra Health Board and Deputy Vice Chancellor at University of Notre Dame, Dr Louse Schaper, CEO of the Australasian Institute of Digital, Jane Halton AO PSM, Chair of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and Co-Chair of the COVAX initiative, and Michael Walsh, Chair of the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre.
Professor Christine Bennett AO said she was excited to be part of an initiative recognising women in digital health, and to help enable more opportunities for women in the industry.
“Ideally, in 10-15 years’ time, I hope we aren’t still talking about gender but rather brilliant minds,” Professor Bennet said. “I hope we see a digitally-enabled health sector, with safe, high-quality, efficient and accessible systems led by women and men.”
Dr Louise Schaper said she was looking forward to exploring the diverse talent she knows exists in digital health.
“There are so many clinicians, researchers, educators and innovators from across the biomedical, health and technology spectrum who are committed to the improvement of health outcomes enabled through innovative uses of technology and information,” she said.
As part of the initiative, the twenty-five finalists will be asked to share their story to inspire others and raise awareness for the opportunities in digital health. These profiles will be included in a final report due to be launched by the end of October, 2021. Finalists will also have the chance to be involved in launch events, learning and development opportunities, and will be connected with an exciting network of people within digital health.
Ideally, finalists will become part of an alumni, following on from the inaugural year of the awards initiative. There will also be further opportunities as part of the Brilliant Connected Women in Digital Health network.
For further information on selection criteria and to submit a nomination, head to this webpage.