Professor Anthony Rodgers elected a Fellow of the AAHMS

The George Institute’s Professor Anthony Rodgers has just been elected a new Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS).

Professor Rodgers, a world leader in cardiovascular research, is now the 9th member of The George Institute for Global Health to join the Academy in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the health and medical research landscape in Australia. 

Professor Rodgers was one of 37 new fellows admitted at the Academy’s fourth annual meeting on 11 October at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne.

The Academy’s President, Professor Ian Frazer AC, said: ‘I am delighted to welcome these 37 outstanding researchers to the Academy’s Fellowship. Their diverse talents and expertise reflect the incredible breadth and depth of Australia’s world class health and medical research.

‘We work with our Fellows to strengthen the health and medical research landscape in Australia. It is thanks to their expertise that we can play a valuable role in ensuring that Australia continues to address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.’

Professor Anthony Rodgers, Professorial Fellow at The George Institute, said he was honoured to be a new fellow.

“The Academy plays a hugely important role both in Australia and in the Asia Pacific Region by developing evidence-based polices, and being an independent source of expert advice. It’s imperative that the world class research Australia produces is translated into practice.”

The George Institute’s nine fellows at AAHMS are: Professor Craig Anderson, Professor John Chalmers, Professor John Myburgh, Professor Stephen MacMahon, Professor Bruce Neal, Professor Robyn Norton, Professor Anushka Patel and Professor Vlado Perkovic.

About Professor Rodgers

Professor Rodgers  has more than 25 years of experience in clinical trials, public-private partnerships and innovation. He was Principal Author of the 2002 World Health Report, the main annual publication of the World Health Organization.  Has led developments of an affordable four-in-one cardiovascular combination pill ('polypill'). He led a clinical trial program in economically developed and developing countries, funded by the NHMRC, Wellcome Trust, European Union and others.

Professor Rodgers also developed a world first cell phone based smoking cessation programme for youth, which disseminated proven health support messages in an age-appropriate, affordable medium.  Over 6,000 patients were involved in clinical trials that demonstrated a 50% increase in quit rates. The service has been rolled out by numerous Departments of Health and reached over 2 million users to date.

About the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences

AAHMS was established in 2013 to provide an impartial and authoritative voice for healthcare, informed by the best available evidence and expert advice from the best and brightest in health and medical research.

The Academy is an independent, interdisciplinary body of elected Fellows. Fellows are elected by their peers for their distinguished achievements and exceptional contributions to health and medical science in Australia.