University of Queensland researcher Professor Wendy Hoy has been recognised internationally for her work on kidney disease.
Professor Hoy has been awarded the United States National Kidney Foundation (NKF) International Distinguished Medal for 2008 at a ceremony in Dallas, Texas.
The Medal was established to honour the achievement of individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of kidney and related chronic disease.
The Medal recognises Professor Hoy’s research which has helped expand the focus of the renal specialty community from end-stage kidney disease to community-based rates, patterns of disease and risk factors, as well as development of services for early diagnosis and better management. The concepts and approaches can be applied to populations in health and lifestyle transition across the world.
Her projects in Australian Aboriginal populations have helped highlight the high rates of chronic disease in these communities, which she describes as “being of crisis proportions”.
"Widespread application of principles for early detection and prevention within Aboriginal health care are long overdue, as are sustained and reliable funding linked to needs and outcomes," Professor Hoy said.
This latest international recognition of Professor Hoy’s work comes after she was awarded one of only two prestigious National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) Australia Fellowships conferred in 2008.
This award is the highest fellowship offered by the NHMRC and recognises excellence in health research.
Professor Hoy was also the recipient of the prestigious American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Barry Brenner Lectureship Award 2006, which acknowledges the contribution of herself and collaborators to new concepts at the cellular level about the nature of susceptibility to renal disease and hypertension.
Among several sources of support for her work has been long-term funding by The Colonial Foundation of Australia, in what is believed to be the largest non-government research grant for Indigenous health research in the nation.
The Foundation has funded Prof Hoy’s research since 2001, including a $1.6m grant over the last three years.
Media inquiries: Jan King – 0413 601 248
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