We are delighted to announce that Associate Professor Ngaree Blow has joined the CAPHIA Board of Directors as Aboriginal Health Director, bringing distinguished First Nations academic, medical and public health leadership to CAPHIA’s governance and strategic direction.

A proud Quandamooka, Noonuccal Nation and Goreng-Goreng woman, Associate Professor Blow is an academic, medical doctor and public health physician trainee whose work spans First Nations health education, preventive health, clinical public health medicine, health promotion, public health response, and national advocacy.

A leader in First Nations health, public health medicine and education

Associate Professor Blow is Associate Professor of First Nations Health at the University of Sydney and is currently practising as a Public Health Registrar at the Cairns Public Health Unit, while completing advanced training as a Public Health Physician through the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine.

Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to preventive and primordial health care, with a focus on strengthening First Nations-led approaches to health, education, workforce development and community-led change.

Across her career, Associate Professor Blow has held academic, clinical, government and advisory roles that reflect the breadth and importance of public health practice. She has worked across the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland and the University of Sydney, bringing particular expertise in First Nations health education, curriculum reform, public health medicine, and the development of culturally grounded approaches to health professional education.

Advancing First Nations-led curriculum and workforce reform

Associate Professor Blow brings significant experience in leading First Nations health education within higher education. As Director of the Wurru Wurru Health Unit at the University of Melbourne, she led the first Indigenous health scholarship and teaching unit of its kind, establishing a majority First Nations workforce and embedding First Nations health education across the Doctor of Medicine program.

In this role, she led curriculum reform, implemented innovative curriculum initiatives and contributed to scholarly work in First Nations health education. Her leadership has helped shape how future health professionals understand, engage with and practise First Nations health in ways that are culturally responsive, community grounded and aligned with the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

At the University of Sydney, Associate Professor Blow is continuing this work through the development of a Faculty-wide framework for First Nations health education, further strengthening the role of universities in building a public health and health professional workforce equipped to contribute meaningfully to First Nations health equity.

Public health leadership across systems and communities

Associate Professor Blow’s public health experience extends well beyond academia. She has served as a medical advisor across Queensland Health projects, worked as Lead Medical Officer during COVID-19 outbreak response, and contributed to the COVID-19 Vaccination Program with the Victorian Department of Health.

Her leadership during the pandemic included public health messaging, policy development and representation on national advisory bodies, reflecting her ability to bridge community, clinical, government and academic settings.

In 2022, Associate Professor Blow founded *It’s a Mob Thing*, an innovative First Nations-led music and health festival designed to advance health promotion and preventive care. This initiative reflects her commitment to public health approaches that are culturally meaningful, community-led and capable of reaching people through strengths-based, creative and accessible forms of engagement.

Associate Professor Blow is also a strong advocate for First Nations rights and leadership. She is a former Board Director and current member of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association and has contributed to a range of committees, advisory bodies and national leadership spaces.

Strengthening CAPHIA’s Aboriginal health leadership

Associate Professor Blow’s appointment comes at a significant time for CAPHIA, as we continue to strengthen our commitment to Indigenous leadership, decolonising public health education, workforce development, advocacy and partnerships across Australasia.

Associate Professor Blow highlights the central role of public health education in preventive health care and the importance of strengthening First Nations-led health care through workforce and education. “I believe CAPHIA has a strong advocacy role and voice in shaping First Nations health outcomes.”

Her experience across academic institutions, tertiary health services, community health, government, national advisory committees and boards will bring important insight to CAPHIA’s strategic priorities. Her connections across Murri communities in Queensland, Koorie communities in Victoria, and Indigenous communities nationally will also support CAPHIA’s work to build authentic partnerships and strengthen community-informed approaches to public health education.

CAPHIA warmly welcomes Associate Professor Ngaree Blow to the Board and looks forward to working with her to further strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership across public health education, research, advocacy and workforce development.