Lauren Richardson
Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc) (Victoria University), Bachelor of Medical Science (BMedSc) (Hons) (University of New South Wales), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Global Health (MGH) (University of New South Wales).
Lauren was promoted to Director, Evidence Based Medicine and Health Policy during November 2023, following her work as Senior Project Manager, GENI since 2018 on studies pertaining to ‘Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Child Vaccinations in Africa: International Lessons for Clinical Practice Guidelines in Developing Countries’ and ‘Cost Effectiveness of Prostate Cancer Screening and Diagnostic Strategies: International Lessons for Clinical Practice Guidelines.’
As Researcher, GENI during 2016-17, Lauren worked with members of the GENI management team on projects concerning Clinical Practice Guidelines for Cystic Fibrosis, and starvation in Africa. Lauren was awarded the GENI Award for Outstanding Contribution in 2019 in recognition of her achievements.
Recognised as one of the Australian Financial Review’s Top 100 Future Leaders, Lauren holds extensive experience in public health policy and has substantial experience in driving policy and reform in dynamic, challenging environments. Appointed by the Strategic Initiatives Committee of a major Primary Healthcare Network, she provided vital guidance on novel care models and regional healthcare reform. Her comprehensive paper on primary healthcare challenges and opportunities yielded six accepted recommendations to the Board, including a visionary merger of care models for a 2024 cardiac pilot.
In 2022, Lauren supported the Grattan Institute’s Health and Aged Care Program. Her research and analysis of benchmark trends in disease prevention and control contributed to solutions for some of Australia’s most pressing health policy issues. She co-authored Grattan’s ‘A new Medicare: Strengthening general practice’ and ‘The Australian Centre for Disease Control (ACDC): Highway to Health’ reports, that addressed primary health care and structuring of the Australian CDC. She also authored the opinion editorial ‘Six lessons for Australia from decades of general practice reform’, published by Croakey Media, addressing complex general practice reform and implementation.
Prior to this, Lauren played a pivotal role in leading and coordinating essential aspects of the Victorian Government’s response to COVID-19 from 2021 to 2022. As Principal Policy Officer for COVID-19, she championed stakeholder engagement and maintained effective critical care delivery and advised the Executive and Deputy Controller on critical care and health services. Additionally, she provided timely policy advice and analysis to the Victorian Chief Health Officer concerning the Public Health and Wellbeing Act and the State of Emergency in 2021, as a valuable member of the COVID-19 Public Health Policy team.
As Chief Executive Officer, Community Health Advancement and Student Engagement (CEO, CHASE), Lauren developed and led the 2023 strategic plan, championing a holistic approach to integrate health promotion into the organisation’s strategy, fostering excellence and continuous improvement.
Lauren is an invited Peer Reviewer for the JBI Evidence Implementation journal (formerly the Joanna Briggs Institute), with extensive research experience as a research assistant at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, where she co-authored several publications and commissioned reports, with a focus on health care delivery, patient safety and technology. She has lectured and tutored at various universities, sharing her expertise in health policy and systems.
Currently an Associate at Cube Group’s Health Sector service team, Lauren contributes to diverse projects related to health and wellbeing. She is an active member of the Public Health Association of Australia’s (PHAA), Political Economy of Health Special Interest Group, and the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia’s (CAPHIA), Advocacy in Action Consultation Group.