Diabetes Australia has announced the appointment of Professor David Simmons as the organisation’s inaugural Chief Medical Officer.

As a Distinguished Professor of Medicine at the Western Sydney University Macarthur Clinical School, and Head of the Campbelltown Hospital Endocrinology Department, Professor Simmons brings considerable knowledge and experience to the national peak body.

Diabetes Australia’s Acting Group CEO, Taryn Black, said the role of Chief Medical Officer would provide strategic medical guidance and expertise to the organisation.

“Professor Simmons’ appointment comes at an important time as the diabetes community tackles issues such as global medicine shortages, equitable access to technologies, ways to improve models of care and declining research funding,” Ms Black said.

“The CMO will support the organisation with health advice, as well as research and clinical governance expertise, which will ultimately improve the health outcomes of people living with diabetes.

“We have a highly qualified, passionate team of experts delivering on our commitment to improve the lives of people living with diabetes and those at risk, and we are delighted to have Professor Simmons join us,” she said.

Professor Simmons brings to the role his extensive experience in the diabetes community, including as current President of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and previously as the lead diabetes consultant at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UK) and Foundation Chair in Rural Health at the University of Melbourne.

“I am thrilled to join the team at Diabetes Australia and contribute to the work of an organisation dedicated to the health and wellbeing of people with diabetes,” Professor Simmons said.

“For many years I have worked to develop diabetes services that are tailored to the needs of people with diabetes both as a diabetes specialist physician, and as a diabetes researcher. 

“This is a terrific opportunity to now use this experience to help develop the national policies that underpin ways to improve the lives of people with diabetes,” he said.

Professor Simmons will commence as Chief Medical Officer in April.