Curtin University, the Channel 7 Telethon Trust and the Telethon Kids Institute have proudly announced The Kerry M Stokes Chair of Child Health, to establish a world-class research program for the benefit of children and the adults they will become.
The Chair will create and drive an ambitious health and medical research program in child health and development, expected to deliver paradigm shifting research in broad areas including chronic and severe disease, infectious diseases, mental health, neurodevelopmental health, rare diseases, disabilities and preventative healthcare.
The Kerry M Stokes Chair of Child Health has been named in recognition of the long-standing support provided by Mr Kerry Stokes AC, Chairman of the Seven Network, to medical research for children through Channel Seven’s Perth Telethon and the Channel 7 Telethon Trust. The Perth Telethon has raised over $300 million since 1968.
Mr Stokes was the long-standing Chairman of the Telethon Trust, which is the principal benefactor of the Telethon Kids Institute and an important fundraiser for the Perth Children’s Hospital, as well as supporting more than 40 other beneficiary organisations.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the University was delighted with the announcement.
"We are thrilled to announce The Kerry M Stokes Chair of Child Health, which will undoubtedly have an enormous impact on the lives of children in Western Australia and around the world in years to come," Professor Terry said.
"Mr Stokes has been such an inspirational leader in supporting the wellbeing of children for many years, so it is wonderful to honour his outstanding support through the establishment of this important research position in his name.
"The appointment of the Kerry M Stokes Chair of Child Health will strengthen Curtin’s already strong profile in health research and significantly increase capabilities in the area of child health research."
Current Chairman of the Channel 7 Telethon Trust, Mr Richard Goyder, said it was fitting that Kerry Stokes be recognised through this important Chair of Child Health.
"Kerry has driven Telethon for many years, and we are all better for that drive and passion. We will now see that same drive and passion continuing under his name at Curtin University and TKI," Mr Goyder said.
Director of the Telethon Kids Institute, Professor Jonathan Carapetis, said the success of the Telethon Kids Institute is in no small part due to Kerry Stokes’ leadership of Telethon and his personal generosity.
"We, along with all Western Australians, owe him an enormous debt. What better way to recognise Mr Stokes’ contribution than with a Chair named after him, allowing us to recruit a stellar researcher who will lead a major program of child health research for many years to come," Professor Carapetis said.
An international search will be conducted jointly by Curtin University and Telethon Kids Institute to identify a highly skilled candidate with exemplary academic and research skills to lead this work.
The Kerry M Stokes Chair in Child Health will be a Curtin University Professor whose research will be conducted at Telethon Kids Institute.
