Celebrating Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG

World Health Day, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG, a remarkable Yankunytjatjara woman who has made tremendous contributions to the health and wellbeing of people around the world. Dr O’Donoghue’s impact on the health industry has been immense.

She has worked tirelessly to improve the health outcomes of Indigenous communities in Australia and around the world, championing the need for culturally appropriate healthcare that respects the unique needs and values of different communities. As the founding Chairperson of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), Dr O’Donoghue played a crucial role in establishing the first network of Aboriginal medical services in Australia. Her leadership and advocacy have also helped to establish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and the Lowitja Institute, an Indigenous-led research organisation focused on improving health and wellbeing outcomes.

Dr O’Donoghue’s many achievements have been recognised with numerous awards and accolades, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, Commander of the British Empire, and Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St. Gregory the Great. On this World Health Day, we honor Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue for her dedication and contributions to the field of health, and her tireless efforts to create a more just and equitable world for all.”

Image: Bahudhara, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons