Expert on board to halt infections and disease

Professor Ramon Shaban has been appointed the inaugural clinical chair and professor of infection prevention and control at the University of Sydney’s Nursing School and Western Sydney Local Health District.

As a credentialed infection control practitioner and emergency nurse, with a background in clinical and medical sciences, Professor Ramon’s expertise in infection control and emergency care are the basis of a highly successful and integrated program of teaching, practice and research.

Based in the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity at the Westmead precinct, Professor Shaban will lead an integrated program of research, focusing on healthcare-associated infections, infection prevention and control, the prevention and control of communicable disease, antimicrobial resistance and emergency care.

“This exciting partnership with Western Sydney Local Health District will not only expand the presence of Sydney Nursing School beyond our highly successful graduate entry Master of Nursing program, but also recognises the central position of all nurses and midwives in the prevention and control of infection through contributions to practice and research,” said the University of Sydney’s Dean of Sydney Nursing School Professor Donna Waters.

Professor Shaban said he was excited to join the university and contribute to nation-leading research into infectious prevention and disease control.

“It is a great honour and enormous privilege to be joining the Sydney Nursing School and Western Sydney Local Health District. Both are at the forefront of national efforts to prevent and control the spread of healthcare-associated infection and communicable diseases more broadly,” he said.

Professor Shaban said he and his colleagues would focus on cutting-edge research into infectious diseases.

“We are all committed to research and knowledge exchange for improved understanding of complex interactions that fuel the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, especially here in the Asia-Pacific region,” he said.

“Like my colleagues, I aspire to combat and lessen their resulting health and socio-economic impacts.”

“Our comprehensive approach to biosecurity, which includes food and water safety/security and ecological integrity/sustainability, positions us well to contribute directly to the health and well-being of the individuals and communities that we serve. I can think of no better place to be.”

More about Professor Ramon Shaban:

• 2016-17 President of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention
• Statutory member of the Australian Government Antimicrobial Strategical and Technical Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance
• Editor-in-Chief of the Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal
• Senior Editor of Infection, Disease and Health
• In 2016 he served as Technical Advisor (Antimicrobial Resistance) with the World Health Organization
• He previously established and served as the Inaugural Clinical Chair of Infection Prevention and Control at Griffith University and Gold Coast Health Hospital and Health Service
• He was the Director of the Griffith Graduate Infection Prevention and Control Programs at Griffith University from 2005 to 2017