Diabetes Australia continues to enhance its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership team with the appointment of widely respected Kamilaroi-Yuwaalaraay diabetes educator Grace Ward.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Manager Chris Lee said Grace brought a wealth of experience in First Nations diabetes management and engagement to Diabetes Australia.

“Grace joins Diabetes Australia from the highly-regarded Menzies School of Health Research where she facilitated training to support health workers in First Nations communities across Queensland,” Mr Lee said.

“Prior to this, Grace worked with Diabetes Queensland facilitating innovative culturally-appropriate First Nations diabetes education programs including Feltman and Got Suga.

“Her work with the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, the Indigenous Allied Health Australia and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Association has been instrumental in helping more First Nations health workers qualify for credentialing as diabetes educators.”

Ms Ward said she was excited to join Diabetes Australia and embark on a new chapter of her career.

“Diabetes has a major impact on the health of many First Nation’s people including being a leading cause of blindness, heart and kidney failure and that’s why I’ve devoted my career to working with people and communities to reduce this impact,” Mrs Ward said.

“Building a better future for our young people is something I’m very passionate about and I’m looking forward to working with Diabetes Australia to deliver real change.”