Prof Oates honoured in Vietnam

16 March 2018

We were proud of our Director Undergraduate Quality and Safety Education, Professor Kim Oates, who received the 'For People’s Health' Medal from the Vietnamese Government during a special ceremony in Hanoi this March.

Prof Oates is a leader in NSW healthcare and has been sharing his expertise with students and health staff in Vietnam for about a decade.

Prof Oates said his work in Vietnam initially focused on research, communication and teaching methods, but more recently had aligned with his Australian focus on growing leadership and patient safety skills among health workers in this developing country.

"Patient safety is now a national priority in Vietnam and it has been wonderful to work with clinicians, students and administrators in that country to share our knowledge and work toward better outcomes for patients," Prof Oates said.  The award from the Vietnamese Government recognises Prof Oates' significant contributions to public health.

Clinical Excellence Commission Chief Executive, Ms Carrie Marr, said patient safety and improving healthcare was a global priority and it was wonderful to see the expertise of Prof Oates and his dedication to healthcare in Vietnam recognised and rewarded.

"The improvements we make in healthcare and the knowledge we gain must be shared because, at the end of the day, clinicians want the same outcomes for our patients - safe, reliable care," Ms Marr said.