2025 Lung Health Legends Award Winners

Vanessa McDonald is a distinguished figure in the field of lung disease research and the advancement of nursing in respiratory medicine. She has been an active member of Lung Foundation Australia’s committees and workgroups over many years, contributing significantly to the organisation’s mission and vision. 

Prof McDonald is a professor of nursing and co-director of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Severe Asthma, the Centre of Research Excellence in Asthma Treatable Traits, and the Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs. She is also an academic clinical nurse consultant in the Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at John Hunter Hospital. 

Prof McDonald joined the University of Newcastle in 2011, following the completion of her PhD. Prior to this, she worked clinically within the Hunter New England Local Health District as a Respiratory Clinical Nurse Consultant. She has been a respiratory nurse and educator for over 25 years. 

Her research programme is centred around the development of innovative approaches to the management of airway diseases. Her translational research programme links biomedicine, clinical effectiveness, and health policy development. Prof McDonald has established a productive track record, publishing over 130 peer-reviewed journal articles. 

Professor McDonald has been an active member of Lung Foundation Australia’s committees and workgroups over the years, including:  

• Member of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Guidelines Executive Committee and Writing Group    

• Member of the Australian Rare Lung Disease Conference 2024 Organising Committee 

• COPD-X Concise Guide for Primary Care Writing Committee 

• Media spokesperson 

We thank Professor McDonald for her tireless commitment to the advancement of nursing and lung disease research.  

Dr James Markos AM is a distinguished respiratory and sleep physician who has made significant contributions to medical education and research, particularly in the fields of respiratory and sleep disorders. He was recently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2025 Australia Day Honours for his outstanding service. 

Dr Markos served as a consultant at the Launceston General Hospital, where he headed the respiratory medicine department from 2013 to 2020. He also worked as a private clinician. After graduating from the University of Sydney Medical School, Dr Markos worked in Hobart before relocating to Perth to complete his specialist training in respiratory and sleep medicine. He then moved to Vancouver, Canada, to pursue research for two years. 

In 1990, Dr Markos returned to Tasmania and became the first full-time lung specialist in Launceston. His interests include postural therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, and campaigning against wood heaters. Dr Markos has been actively involved with Lung Foundation Australia, serving as the Tasmanian representative and participating in various fundraising activities.

 Dr Markos has also contributed to the Clifford Craig Foundation, chaired the Air Quality Working Group, and served as chairperson of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand from 1991 to 1996.  

Dr Markos has been an active member of Lung Foundation Australia’s committees and workgroups over the years, including:  

•    Member of the Lung Foundation Australia National Council 

•   Member of the COPD X Guidelines committee 

•  Media spokesperson 

We thank Dr Markos for his tireless commitment to respiratory medicine and air quality. 

Ms Mary Duffy AM is a renowned figure in lung cancer policy, advocacy, patient care, and leadership in lung cancer nursing. She has been an active member of Lung Foundation Australia’s committees and workgroups over many years, contributing significantly to the organisation’s mission and vision. 

Ms Duffy has dedicated her career to improving the lives of lung cancer patients and their families. She has been instrumental in developing and implementing policies that enhance patient care and support. Her advocacy work has raised awareness about lung cancer and the importance of early detection and treatment. 

Ms Duffy has also played a key role in advancing lung cancer nursing. She has mentored and trained numerous nurses, helping them to develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide high-quality care to lung cancer patients. Her leadership has been recognised by her peers and the organization’s Board of Directors. 

Ms Duffy has been an active member of Lung Foundation Australia’s committees and workgroups over the years, including:  

• Former Chair of the Australia New Zealand Lung Cancer Nurses Forum (ANZLCNF) 

• Former Member of the Lung Cancer Clinical Advisory Committee (LCCG) 

• A Your Voice Lung Cancer Clinician Advocate  

• Member of the Australian Lung Cancer Conference Organising Committee 

• Media spokesperson 

We thank Ms Duffy for her commitment to lung cancer policy, advocacy, patient care and leadership in lung cancer nursing over many years. 

Prof YC Gary Lee is a specialist in pleural medicine and lung health research. He has been an active member of Lung Foundation Australia’s committees and workgroups over many years, contributing significantly to the organisation’s mission and vision. 

Prof Lee is a professor of respiratory medicine and a leading expert in pleural diseases. His research focuses on improving the diagnosis and treatment of pleural conditions, such as pleural effusion and pneumothorax. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and has been invited to speak at international conferences. 

Prof Lee has also been involved in several clinical trials, investigating new treatments for pleural diseases. His work has led to significant advancements in the field and has improved the quality of care for patients with pleural conditions. 

Professor McDonald has been an active member of Lung Foundation Australia’s cProfessor Lee has been an active member of Lung Foundation Australia’s committees and workgroups over the years, including:  

•    Former Member of Australian Lung Cancer Trials Group (ALTG) 

We thank Professor Lee for his tireless commitment to pleural medicine and lung health research. 

A/Prof Gavin Wright is an expert in thoracic surgery, thoracic research, and lung cancer advocacy. He has been an active member of Lung Foundation Australia’s committees and workgroups over the years, contributing significantly to the organization’s mission and vision. 

A/Prof Wright is an associate professor of thoracic surgery and a leading figure in thoracic research. His work focuses on improving surgical techniques and outcomes for patients with lung cancer and other thoracic conditions. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and has been invited to speak at international conferences. 

A/Prof Wright has also been a strong advocate for lung cancer patients. He has worked to raise awareness about the disease and the importance of early detection and treatment. His advocacy efforts have led to improved policies and support for lung cancer patients and their families. 

 A/Prof Wright has been an active member of Lung Foundation Australia’s committees and workgroups over the years, including:  

•  The Lung Cancer Screening Expert Advisory Group 

• The Lung Cancer Blueprint Writing Group 2022-25 

• A Member of Australian Lung Cancer Trials Group (ALTG) 

We thank A/Prof Wright for his commitment to thoracic surgery, thoracic research and lung cancer advocacy

Dr Phan Nguyen is a specialist in respiratory medicine, particularly cancer research. He is a staff specialist in the Department of Thoracic Medicine at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he chairs the lung cancer multi-disciplinary team and is the clinical lead of the thoracic procedure suite.  He is a recipient of a Lung Foundation Scholarship where his expertise in the staging and diagnosis of thoracic malignancies. He holds a PhD in Optical Diagnosis in Bronchoscopy which was supported by Lung Foundation Australia. He is the outgoing convenor of the Interventional Pulmonology Special Interest Group of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) and Deputy Head of the Bronchoscopy and Interventional Techniques of the Asia Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR). 

Dr Nguyen has also contributed to the field through his editorial roles with Respirology (senior editor) and Respirology Case Reports (associate editor).  

 Dr Nguyen has been an active member of Lung Foundation Australia’s committees and workgroups over the years, including:  

•   As a guest and speaker at the Australian Lung Cancer Conferences 

• Member of Lung Cancer Blueprint 2.0 Expert Working Group 

We thank Dr Nguyen for his years of commitment to respiratory medicine, in particular cancer research.