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The College of Medicine and Public Health is thrilled to announce that Professor Nicola Spurrier will deliver this year’s John Chalmers Oration.

Professor Spurrier has held Academic Status as Associate Professor with the College of Medicine and Public Health since 2011 and, prior to that, was employed by the University from 1998 to 2010 (Paediatrics and Child Health). In April 2020, the University awarded her Academic Status at the level of Professor.

It is during her role as South Australia’s Chief Public Health Officer that Professor Spurrier has become a household name around the State, and to many Australians nationwide. With responsibility for South Australia’s public health and communicable disease issues, she has kept many of us informed on a daily basis with factual, considered information and directives about the coronavirus pandemic.

Professor Spurrier’s role also includes advising the Minister and the Chief Executive of SA Health about proposed legislative or administrative changes in relation to public health.

Nicola is a dual qualified Medical Specialist, Public Health Physician and Paediatrician, with 30 years’ experience within SA Health including 10 years in the Department for Health and Wellbeing.

Nicola has specialised in developing and implementing policies and programs across child health, obesity prevention and Aboriginal health. She also has extensive experience in health protection and promotion, public health partnership and health diplomacy activities.

About the Chalmers Oration

The annual Chalmers Oration commemorates the work of John Chalmers AC who was the first Professor of Medicine (1975-1996) at the Flinders Medical Centre and the College of Medicine and Public Health.

During his time at Flinders and subsequently, John has had a significant presence on the medical stage in Australia, particularly in relation to medical research. Some of the major positions he has held include President, Australian Society for Medical Research, President, High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia, Chair, Research Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council, Chair, National Health and Medical Research Council, President, Royal Australasian College of Physicians and President, International Society of Hypertension. He also had a major influence on the development of our medical school and our major teaching hospitals, Flinders Medical Centre and Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park.

• 2006 Professor Sir Michael Marmot
• 2007 Professor Tony McMichael
• 2008 Professor Fiona Wood
• 2009 Dr John Deeble
• 2010 Dr Tom Calma
• 2011 Professor Pat McGorry
• 2012 Professor Ian Jacobs
• 2013 Professor Ian Chubb
• 2014 Professor Chris Baggoley
• 2015 Professor Steve Wesselingh
• 2016 Professor Suzanne Cory
• 2017 Professor Anne Kelso
• 2018 Professor Sir Peter Ratcliffe
• 2019 Professor Alex Brown