Mary-Louise McLaws spends her days caring for her family and friends.
It’s a stark contrast to what I was doing before I was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
As an epidemiologist at the University of New South Wales since 1992 and an adviser to the World Health Organization (WHO), McLaws was providing expert advice on COVID-19 to Australians during the pandemic.
“Now, all of a sudden, the Australian community is taking care of me,” said Professor McLaws.
McLaws has been recognized on the Queen’s Birthday Honors List, named Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for “distinguished service to medical research, especially epidemiology and infection prevention, tertiary education and health administration “.
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“I’m absolutely honored to receive this award. It doesn’t happen very often,” Professor McLaws said.
She started working for WHO in 2005 and in 2020 was appointed a member of the WHO Expert Advisory Committee on the Control of COVID-19 Infection.
But in January his world suddenly changed, no longer giving advice but taking it, after he was diagnosed with brain cancer.
“I’ve been very lucky to be well organized by doctors and nurses,” McLaws said.
Since she was fired, she has undergone various medical treatments for brain cancer, including chemotherapy and surgery.
Although he announced on Twitter that he would take “a month off work”, he told the ABC that he was in no hurry to return to work.
“Right now I’m enjoying family, kids, some friends while I’m off,” he said.
“I have a perfect husband who makes good dinners and lunches. So for now, I’ll enjoy this change.”
NSW Health Director Dr Kerry Chant has also been named AO for her service to public health and medicine.
Dr Chant served as Director of the Public Health Unit for the South West Sydney Health Service before being promoted to her current position in 2008.
Kerry Chant became a household name during the pandemic for his health updates. (AAP: Joel Carratt)
It has made important contributions to the elimination of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as well as being critical in containing the spread of swine flu.
But his most notable contribution to the people of NSW was his commitment to providing COVID updates at daily press conferences.
Dr. Chant said in a statement that the honor was a “tribute” to her colleagues who worked during the pandemic.
“This honor is a tribute to my many NSW Health colleagues for the outstanding work they have done and continue to do to keep the community safe during the COVID pandemic,” he said.
Posted 1 hour ago 1 hour ago dig. June 12, 2022 at 19:18, updated 42 m ago 42 minutes ago dig. June 12, 2022 at 8:10 p.m.