A message from our Chair:
After 13 years at Lung Foundation Australia, including four years as CEO, Heather Allan is leaving Lung Foundation Australia to join her husband who will be on sabbatical in London, England and the United States.
During her time with Lung Foundation Australia, Heather has played a critical role in the development, growth and success of the organisation. Her contributions have seen the organisation strengthen its position as an evidenced-based and outcomes focussed charity dedicated to delivering better outcomes for people living with lung disease.
The Board would like to thank Heather for her four years as CEO and prior to that, nine years as Director of our National COPD Program. Heather’s years of dedicated service involved many significant accomplishments, including leading the development of our world class evidence-based COPD-X Clinical Guidelines, establishing our renowned Lungs in Action community based exercise program, lifting and strengthening the organisation’s role in advocacy and building our profile as the go-to organisation for lung disease patients, clinicians and the community. The establishment of our IPF and bronchiectasis registries, and the growth in our research awards are also major achievements of Heather’s. Her focus and determination for continued growth in funding has furthered our long-term sustainability goals and enabled the continuing investment into service improvements and quality.
Heather leaves Lung Foundation Australia in a very strong position for future growth and we sincerely thank her for her contribution and leadership. She will be greatly missed by the Board, staff and no doubt our patient and clinical networks and our industry partners. Heather’s last day will be Friday, July 6th 2018 and a national search is underway to recruit a new CEO, with a short-list of candidates already identified.
In the interim, the organisation’s General Manager of Operations – Chris Emery- will be Acting CEO to ensure continuity and aid the transition of the new CEO. Chris will work with the Board and a very able senior management team to continue to deliver on our Annual and Strategic Plans while the new CEO recruitment process is finalised.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the transition process, please don’t hesitate to contact me via enquiries@lungfoundation.com.au
Yours Sincerely
Professor Christine Jenkins
Chair, Lung Foundation Australia
Professor, UNSW and University of Sydney
Thoracic Physician, Concord Hospital