Edith Cowan University’s (ECU) Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, for the first time in its three-decade history, has an Aboriginal person at its helm.
The new Director, Professor Bep Uink, is also the first female Director of HealthInfoNet, which in September 2024 celebrated its 27-year contribution to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector.
Professor Uink who commenced her appointment on 8 October 2024, will head the specialist health service that provides up-to-date, evidence-informed, and practical information to health professionals and community organisations working to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.
“HealthInfoNet has built an excellent reputation nationally and I am looking forward to working with the national stakeholders and peak bodies as we strive to support evidence-based decision making to help achieve the best possible outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health,” said Professor Uink.
Professor Uink is a Noongar woman from Perth with a Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical) and PhD, who has come from the role of Dean of Indigenous Knowledges at Murdoch University.
As a Post-Doctoral Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at Murdoch’s Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, Professor Uink’s research has focused on understanding how socially determined disadvantage impacts the social emotional wellbeing of young people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and how social systems, such as higher education, can support young peoples’ wellbeing.
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet is an integral part of ECU’s Kurongkurl Katitjin Centre for Indigenous Education and Research.
Dean of Kurongkurl Katitjin, Professor Dan McAullay, said it was a milestone stage for HealthInfoNet to appoint an Aboriginal woman as its new leader.
Professor McAullay said he was confident Professor Uink would continue the important legacy of HealthInfoNet’s unique and vital role nationally, which has been providing the evidence base to inform practice and policy in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector.
“Professor Uink will be the HealthInfoNet’s third Director since it was founded by GP, Professor Neil Thomson who led for 17 years before handing over to Professor Neil Drew for the past 10 years, both who have left an amazing legacy,” said Professor McAullay.
“I’d like to take the opportunity to acknowledge Professor Neil Drew, as outgoing Director, for his 10-year contribution in delivering many new initiatives and successful funding outcomes and wish him the best as he heads towards retirement.”
Professor Drew said it was a proud ‘passing of the baton moment’ to see the evolution of the HealthInfoNet and to be able to welcome an Aboriginal Noongar woman into the leadership role.
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