Pioneering leadership celebrated during QLD Women's Week

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11 March 2021

Queenslanders are being called to celebrate courageous female leadership this Queensland Women’s Week, honouring the contributions of all women working in healthcare and recognising the leaders at the forefront.

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, who was honoured this month with the Queensland Award for Excellence in Women’s Leadership, said the success of her own leadership role was made possible with the help of her colleagues across the sector.

“There are thousands of women working behind the scenes who deserve recognition for their hard work and fortitude in the face of uncertainty during these unprecedented times,” Dr Young said.

“Doctors, nurses, cleaners, quarantine and border workers and, not forgetting, the teams who help support them. Queensland women are achieving incredible things every day and inspiring younger generations of women not just in Queensland, but across the country.

“None of the work I do would be possible without the help and support of countless women who have dedicated themselves to improving the healthcare of all Queenslanders. To those women I say thank you.”

Director-General, Queensland Health, Dr John Wakefield said it was important to recognise Dr Young’s significant contribution to the state long before she led Queensland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Let’s not forget that Dr Young has been serving Queenslanders faithfully as Chief Health Officer for the last fifteen years,” Dr Wakefield said.

“In that time, she has advised the state through countless natural disasters, record-breaking influenza seasons, threats of infectious disease outbreaks, climbing obesity rates, the rise of anti-vaxxers and, most importantly, the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As far as leadership goes, it goes without saying that Queensland is home to some of the most formidable female leaders in the country, and we should all be proud of the work these pioneering women have achieved.”