Dr Julie Hennegan and Dr Phone Myint Win.
Burnet celebrated our most significant annual awards, the Gust-McKenzie Medal and the Frank Fenner Award this month.
Congratulations to Dr Julie Hennegan, senior research fellow and co-head of the Global Adolescent Health working group on receiving the Gust-McKenzie Medal and to Dr Phone Myint Win, Burnet country representative in Myanmar on receiving the Frank Fenner Award.
The Gust-McKenzie Medal
The Gust-McKenzie Medal is awarded to an outstanding mid-career Burnet staff member for excellence in research and public health.
It’s named in honour of the founding directors of the Burnet and Austin Research Institutes; Professor Ian Gust AO and Emeritus Professor Ian McKenzie AM.
Described by her peers as a champion of menstrual health, Dr Hennegan has advocated for the topic to be considered as a health issue rather than a hygiene issue throughout her career.
“There is a lack of core measures, insufficient data on menstrual health and hygiene, and little understanding of the broader impact of menstrual health on girls, despite menstruation affecting half of the global population,” she said.
“What we measure is what we pay attention to. Data is critical for advocacy, securing investment, and driving change.”
She has dedicated her efforts to closing these gaps and elevating menstrual health as a global health priority, including driving advancements in policy and practice both in Australia and across the region.
“In 2022, we launched our adolescent menstrual experiences and health cohort study, bringing together a decade of research and insights,” she said.
“This study brings together the first data on how adolescent girls’ menstrual experiences change over time and will help estimate the impact of menstrual health on girls' lives.”
The Frank Fenner Award
The Frank Fenner Award acknowledges significant contribution to Burnet’s vision and mission in medical research and public health, named after the late Australian virologist, Professor Frank Fenner AC.
Dr Phone joined Burnet in 2007 and took on a senior leadership role as country representative in 2013.
“Through my work across government, for-profit, and not-for-profit sectors, I’ve learned how social determinants, and the burden of disease prevent vulnerable populations from achieving equitable access to better health,” Dr Phone said.
Working through Myanmar’s health challenges involves tackling the unique struggles faced by ethnic minorities, extreme poverty, and the triple burden of diseases, including malaria and tuberculosis.
Following the military coup in Myanmar, Dr Phone spearheaded a transformation in Burnet’s approach, focusing on building resilient health systems. This included addressing psychological distress by integrating mental health and psychosocial support into Burnet’s programs.
“I never work alone. I rely on input from team members and engage closely with communities and stakeholders, listening to their voices — because partnerships are key,” he said.
“I believe in the potential of my daughter and son, which is why I believe in the future generation of Myanmar.”
Dr Hennegan and Dr Phone exemplify Burnet’s values of respect, equality, inclusiveness and diversity, and how innovative research and resilient leadership can drive meaningful change.