Guest Speaker Professor Smita Shar, University of Sydney – Vaping at School

Members, Partners and Guests are welcome.

President Liz invites you to join us to hear Guest Speaker Professor Smita Shar of the University of Sydney on Vaping at School.

Please RSVP by 12 noon on Monday 19 September via the Contact Us page – The dinner cost $23.00 and includes a 2-course dinner. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements. Eftpos facilities are available.

Smita Shah. Dr Shah received her medical degree from the University of Glasgow, Scotland and a Master of Community Health from the University of Sydney. She holds conjoint positions with the Faculty of Medicine and Health, Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, The Woolcock Centre for Medical Research, The University of Sydney; visiting Lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg, Germany and Associate of the Centre for Managing Chronic Disease at the University of Michigan.

Dr Shah has provided leadership in her field of educational research in primary health care and work with disadvantaged communities. She has worked with diverse community groups in health promotion and prevention and has developed, evaluated and managed research projects in immunisation, asthma, healthy lifestyle, prevention of obesity, smoking prevention and Aboriginal health. These projects have fostered and strengthened academic and cross-departmental partnerships at national and international levels, helping improve the health of the targeted population.

Her current research aims at improving health and wellbeing and reducing health disparities applying a socioecological model, using peer-led education with adolescents, school communities and university students. She has over 50 publications and has been an invited speaker at over 50 high-profile national and international conferences, symposiums and workshops.

Dr Shah’s achievements have been widely acknowledged nationally and internationally: In 2018, Dr Shah received the Parents and Citizens Association and School Council Award for Outstanding Community Contribution from Rooty Hill High School. She also was the finalist for the Australia Association for Adolescent Health Outstanding Contribution to Youth Health Award. In 2016, Dr Shah was awarded the inaugural “Member of the Year Award” by the Mt Druitt Medical Practitioners Association. In 2015, she was the recipient of the Australian Medical Association’s “Excellence in Healthcare Award”, for her contribution to improving health care in Australia. In 2014, Smita received three awards from the Western Sydney Local Health District: The Community Choice Award, The Partnership Award and The Board Award. In 2011, Dr Shah received the President’s Award from the Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand at the Annual Scientific meeting for “being an outstanding respiratory health advocate”. In 2009, she received the University of Sydney Alumni Award “in recognition of the personal contributions made to the enrichment of our society through the dedication to community service” in the category of Community Achievement.