14 October 2009
The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) is delighted to announce that
the winner of the prestigious Sidney Sax medal for 2009 is Professor Stephen Leeder.
The AHHA awards the annual Sidney Sax Medal to an individual who has made an
outstanding contribution in the field of health services policy, organisation, delivery and
research.
The AHHA is the peak national body representing public hospitals, area health services,
community health centres and public aged care providers.
"Professor Leeder
is
well-known throughout the health sector
for his outstanding work,
particularly his contribution to health knowledge and systems,
and to innovative medical
education," Ms Prue Power, Executive Director, said today.
"Early in his career, Steve was instrumental in developing an assessment system for the
Medical Faculty
at the University of Newcastle
that encouraged cooperation
between
students rather than competition, and contributed to changes in assessment in medical
courses throughout the country.
"From 1976 to 1985, as Foundation Professor of Community Medicine, Steve contributed to
the Faculty’s Education Program. He was instrumental in promoting the development of
Community Medicine within the Faculty as well as throughout the Hunter Valley region,
working through the University and the NSW Department of Health.
"He has undertaken significant research into respiratory disease, especially asthma, and
cardiovascular disease. His focus has been on the epidemiology of heart disease and the
personal, social and economic impact and burden of coronary vascular disease on sufferers
and their communities.
Steve
successfully attracted Rockefeller Foundation funding to
Newcastle University and was Director of the Rockefeller Asian and Pacific Centre for Clinical
Epidemiology which trained epidemiologists from Australia and neighbouring countries.
"Steve was also a moving force in the evolution of the Public Health Association of Australia,
which developed from the Australian
and New Zealand Association for Epidemiology and
Research in Community Health Association of the 1970s.
"As those who invite him to comment on programs or ideas will know well, he is a forceful,
experienced and at times uncomfortable voice for the best in health services for Australians.
"AHHA congratulates Professor Leeder on this award and his lifetime contribution to
public
health and social equity," Ms Power said.
Contact:
Ms Prue Power, Executive Director AHHA, 0417 419 857
Professor Stephen Leeder, 0419 209 569
Sidney Sax Medallist 2009
Professor Stephen Leeder
NEWS 
