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10 Nov 2021
Announcement

New appointment to focus on inequities in cancer outcomes

  • VCCC Alliance

VCCC Alliance Research & Education Lead for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Following an extensive search, we are delighted to announce that Dr Kalinda Griffiths has been appointed as the new VCCC Alliance Research and Education Lead for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.

Dr Griffiths is Yawuru woman, born and living in Darwin. She is currently Scientia Fellow at the Centre for Big Data Research, UNSW and holds honorary fellowships at Menzies School of Health Research and University of Melbourne. Her appointment will enhance the alliance’s distributed leadership team capability which spans multiple tumour streams, health services research, primary care, cancer nursing, cancer education, palliative care, clinical trials, regional oncology, and cancer immunotherapy.

The newly created role is key to improving cancer outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and represents a crucial step in understanding the needs of people in our community who are underserved by the current systems of cancer care.

“We are thrilled that Dr Griffiths is joining the VCCC Alliance in this key new role,” said Professor Grant McArthur, Executive Director. “As a cancer researcher with expertise in data governance, development and use and over 20 years’ experience, Kalinda brings great depth of knowledge, connections and the potential for attracting substantial research funding through this new role.

“She is an exceptional, nationally-regarded leader in Indigenous health. Her initial endeavour will be to foster shared understanding to facilitate and embed equity initiatives across the complete cancer pathway incorporating research, knowledge translation, education, leadership and advocacy.”

Recognised research leader

Dr Griffiths interests include empirically addressing complex health disparities through existing data as well as the identification of Indigenous peoples in administrative data and data governance processes. She has over $10 million dollars in research funding to build research in cancer, equity, data governance and to build capabilities. These include being Chief Investigator on NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Targeted Approaches to Improve Cancer Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians (TACTICS) and a Synergy Grant Respecting the Gift – Empowering Indigenous Communities in Genomic Medicine, the ARC Linkage Project, Learning from Alcohol policy Reforms in the NT (LEARNT) as well as co-lead of the Ramaciotti Regional and Remote Health Sciences Training Centre.

"This is an opportunity to further support and build on the important work that is already being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer control in Victoria," said Dr Griffiths.

"I am very excited to be working with the VCCC Alliance and other partners to develop this critical work. We will be able to bring people together across the services and sectors to work towards driving improvements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer care and outcomes." 

"Cancer continues to be one of the greatest burdens to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and there is much work to be done to ensure that there is equitable and culturally safe systems and services that reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander needs."

The Research and Education Lead program is central to the alliance’s endeavours to systematise collaboration, and pivotal to turning the idea of integration of research, education and clinical care into reality. The appointment of Dr Griffiths will assist in identifying opportunities, building capabilities and creating initiatives to improve disparities in health care and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

For more information, contact Dr Vijaya Joshi, VCCC Alliance Health Equity Manager, e: [email protected].

 

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