Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith has announced Dr Kerryn Coleman as the ACT's new Chief Health Officer, following a competitive national recruitment process.
Dr Coleman has been acting in the role since March this year and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.
"I am pleased to appoint Dr Coleman into this important leadership position across the ACT public health system," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"Dr Coleman is highly respected and has extensive experience working in public health, here in the ACT and across the country.
"Dr Coleman has shown exceptional leadership while acting in the Chief Health Officer role this year, including managing the busiest flu season on record for the ACT and contributing strongly to the important work underway across the ACT Health Directorate to build a more positive culture. I look forward to continuing to work with her as we push ahead with a new preventive health agenda."
Dr Coleman said it was a privilege to be appointed in the role and she is excited about what's ahead.
"I have very much enjoyed acting as Chief Health Officer this year and I am very happy to be continuing in the role and working with a great team of people at the Health Protection Service and across the ACT Health Directorate," Dr Coleman said.
"Canberra is such a great place to live, and as the community grows, I am looking forward to continuing to work across the health sector to help keep Canberrans healthy.
"My focus in the role is on strengthening our preparedness for, and response to, health emergencies and incidences and the work we do with our partners to ensure the health of the community is protected.
"I'm also focussed on promoting the importance of issues like sexual health in our community, in particular amongst young people and at-risk population groups where we are seeing rates of particular STI's rising."
The Chief Health Officer position is a highly specialised and technical leadership role within the ACT public health system that holds responsibilities and delegations under various public health legislation.
Dr Kerryn Coleman
Dr Coleman has acted in the role of ACT Chief Health Officer since March 2019. Before this, she worked as a Public Health Physician at the Health Protection Service since 2017.
Prior to joining ACT Health, Dr Coleman led a regional public health unit, with responsibilities covering a large area in Central Queensland and contributed at a national level for almost six years in a variety of public health roles with the Commonwealth Department of Health.
