Professor Elizabeth Elliott recognised for excellence in healthcare

Congratulations to Professor Elizabeth Elliott who has won the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Excellence in Healthcare Award 2018 for her pioneering research, clinical care and advocacy in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

For more than 20 years, Professor Elliott, who is a Consultant Paediatrician at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and Director of the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, has passionately advocated for raising awareness of FASD and has played an instrumental role in making FASD a major strategic focus for Commonwealth and State Health Departments.

As the Chair of the Australian Government’s National FASD Technical Network, Co-Chair of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in FASD and Head of the NSW FASD Assessment service, Professor Elliott has made a profound difference to Australia’s health system and has helped to change the health outcomes for many children and families living with, and affected by, FASD. 

She was also the lead clinician in the Lililwan study on FASD prevalence, has published extensively on FASD and contributed to the WHO, NHMRC and RACP alcohol guidelines.

“Professor Elliott is a worthy recipient of the AMA Excellence in Healthcare Award,” said Dr Gannon, AMA President, who presented the award recognising significant contribution to improving health or health care in Australia at the AMA National Conference in Canberra earlier today.

“She is a true pioneer in the FASD field and has contributed to the development of Australia’s response to FASD, through addressing aspects of health policy, health care delivery, education, and health awareness in the work she has undertaken.”

“I’m humbled and delighted to receive this award honouring my work,” said Professor Elliott.

“I look forward to a future that includes early diagnosis, effective treatment and most importantly preventing the tragedy of FASD. Prevention will only be achieved if clinicians partner with families, communities, advocates and government to support evidence-based policy and education to prevent alcohol harms.”