The Heart Foundation has congratulated its SA/NT CEO, Imelda Lynch, on her appointment to the prestigious Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB).
Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Greg Hunt, recently announced Ms Lynch as a new member of the AMRAB, which is the expert advisory board tasked with charting the nation's research strategy for the next five years.
Ms Lynch joined the Heart Foundation as South Australia CEO in January 2017, and in October 2019 took on added responsibility for the Northern Territory.
Until 2014, Ms Lynch was the founding CEO of Bellberry Limited, a private, not-for-profit organisation that provides scientific and ethical review of human research projects across Australia. She still serves as a non-executive director of the company.
Ms Lynch, who has a background in nursing, is also a non-executive director of ACH Group and the Macular Disease Foundation Australia.
Heart Foundation Chief Medical Adviser and interim Group CEO, Professor Garry Jennings, said Ms Lynch's background, expertise and commitment to research excellence will make her a strong asset to the AMRAB.
"Imelda will bring to the table a valuable combination of skills. As a former director of nursing, she understands patient treatment and care as well as the unmet need for research, but she also has an astute business acumen," he said.
"Over the course of her career, Imelda has worked tirelessly to ensure Australians will experience positive health outcomes, and her expertise and innovative thinking will contribute greatly to the AMRAB's vital work."
Ms Lynch said: "I am very honoured to be part of the AMRAB and look forward to working with my fellow board members to support the nations next research strategy and priorities for Australian's health and medical research."
The AMRAB will play a key role in advising the federal government on research and innovation priorities under the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
These priorities guide MRFF research investments to reduce the burden of disease, provide practical benefits, and deliver greatest value for all Australians.
