RECOGNISING CLINICAL TRIALS AND THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE RESEARCH, NHMRC CEO signs off tenure with final co-presenter role at ACTA Trial of the Year Awards
With
Prof Christopher Reid, Board Chair
Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA)
Professor Steve Wesselingh, CEO
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Chandana Guha,
Australasian Kidney Trials Network
Dr Menglu Ouyang on behalf of Professor Craig Anderson
Australasian Stroke Trials Network with The George Institute for Global Health
Professor David Curtis
Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group
Delaine Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group
SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | August 2026
Australia’s clinical trials community came together to celebrate outstanding research and recognise the people and teams making a meaningful difference to healthcare at the 2026 ACTA Trial of the Year Awards.
Now in its 10th year, the awards continue to shine a light on investigator-led clinical trials and initiatives that are improving clinical practice, influencing healthcare policy and delivering better outcomes for patients across Australia and beyond.
This year’s awards showcased the breadth and strength of Australia’s clinical trials sector, with achievements recognised across six categories spanning clinical trials, statistics, health economics, implementation science, consumer involvement and clinical quality registries.
ACTA Chair, Professor Chris Reid, highlighted the contribution of the nominees and winners to the broader clinical trials community, noting the expertise, collaboration and commitment demonstrated through their work.
Since their establishment in 2016, the ACTA Trial of the Year Awards have provided an opportunity to recognise the impact of clinical research and celebrate the people behind the trials. The 2026 ceremony continued this tradition, highlighting the important role Australian researchers and collaborators play in advancing healthcare and improving the lives of patients.
Source: ACTA news story 19th August 2026 https://clinicaltrialsalliance.org.au/latest-news/celebrating-outstanding-achievements-in-clinical-trials/
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Clinical entrepreneur addresses needle-phobia
Australian entrepreneur, Lauren Barber, turned her nursing background into the role of an inventor and launched a medical device into the Australian healthcare industry.
No journey is linear for an entrepreneur, but Lauren has travelled considerable distance from a nursing student to a successful entrepreneur illustration her determination and passion to help those with needle phobias. Lauren’s work with NeedleCalm is making a positive impact in the healthcare industry and improving the experiences of patients and clinicians alike.
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Nurse recognised for reducing hospital waste
A nurse who started a charity from a granny flat in her parent’s backyard to reduce hospital waste has taken out one of the Australian nursing profession’s most prestigious honours.
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Primary care remodelled
Tracey Johnson is the CEO of Inala Primary Care, a not-for-profit general practice located in Inala serving approximately 7000 patients; 4400 of whom attend clinic regularly. Inala is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland and has a population of great cultural and linguistic diversity, with just under 40% of residents speaking English at home. It is also one of Queensland’s most socioeconomically marginalised urban areas.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Tracey on the role of Inala Primary care in reducing hospital admissions.
