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News

2024 LiverWELL Recognition Awards Winners Announced

October 30, 2024

Each year LiverWELL recognises individuals and organisations who have made outstanding contributions to the lives of those who are living with viral hepatitis and liver disease. The 2024 Awards were announced at our AGM on 22 October by our Board President, Maria Marshall.

The Mark Farmer Memorial Award

This award was given to two people this year, Thomas Tu and Lien Tran.

  • Thomas Tu was awarded for his outstanding work as Associate Professor at Westmead Institute for Medical Research in the Storr Liver Centre in Sydney where he works as a molecular biologist and research lead. This coupled with his work in establishing the HepBCommuntiy.org and co founder of Hepatitis B voices Australia as in his advocacy role.
  • Lien Tran (pictured below) was awarded for her work as a relentless and staunch advocate for people living with Hepatitis B. She is the co founder of hep B Voices Australia and advocated at events such as VHBA.

This award honours former Hepatitis Victoria Board Member Mark Farmer and recognises individuals who share their knowledge to help others, increase hepatitis awareness, and demonstrate positive self-management.

The Organisational Collaboration Award

This award was presented to Gippsland Region Public Health Unit, accepted by Leearna Earwicker (pictured below), for its impactful support of individuals with viral hepatitis and liver disease, enhancing well-being and partnering effectively with LiverWELL. We acknowledge their contributions to the 2023 Regional Forum and its extensive efforts across diverse geographical and demographic areas to eliminate viral hepatitis.

The Individual Contribution Award

The dual winners were Vinay Menon and Suzanne Wallis, for their impact in reducing the burden of viral hepatitis or liver disease, inspiring others, and collaborating with LiverWELL.

  • Vinay Menon was awarded for his work with Gouldburn Valley Health as the medical lead and public health physician leading a highly energised response to viral hepatitis across the greater Shepparton region.
  • Suzanne Wallis (pictured below) was awarded in recognising her work as a Nurse Practitioner in Shepparton for over 10 years. She is an s100 prescriber, and runs a sexual health clinic and hepatitis clinic, providing direct treatment for people with Hepatitis B and C.

Our heartfelt congratulations go to all our winners and to the many nominees for these awards.

The Mark Farmer Award Nominees

  • Nicoletta Burrows
  • Steven Taylor
  • Mei Mak

Organisational Collaboration Award Nominees

  • The Salvation Army
  • Harm Reduction Victoria
  • Ballarat Community Health

Individual Contribution Award Nominees

  • James Beath
  • Karen Worthington
  • Juliana Betts
  • Leearna Earwicker
  • Wei Liao
  • Sajith Kattiparambil Gangadharan
  • Mary Ma
  • Tameaka Lakey

 

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We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands where we work - the lands of the Woi-Wurrung Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations. We express our gratitude to them for their continued care and curation of these lands and waters. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

LiverWELL observes and honours the Kulin Nation's intrinsic connection to land, sky and water, and the creator Bunjil. LiverWELL is committed to being led and informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders on bridging health outcomes for communities and improving liver health.