The Partnership for Justice in Health (P4JH) is pleased to announce the appointment of proud Wiradjuri woman, Professor Juanita Sherwood in the role of co-Chair, who is currently employed at  Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, UTS.

Professor Sherwood has over 35 years of extensive experience within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and education space; as a registered nurse, teacher, lecturer, researcher and manager. She has an extensive track record specifically in the area of Indigenous health, education and social justice research. Her has encompassed the health and education government and non-government sector, as well as the academy. These roles have led her to working in urban, rural and remote areas of Australia. She has led a number of State-wide and National projects, international conferences and developed policies and strategic plans that have required wide-ranging consultation; in-depth literature reviews; data collection using government and non-government sources; and negotiated their implementation strategically and informatively. Her work and experiences have ensured that she brings a commitment to pursuing serious structural change to centralise cultural safety in healthcare, the academy and beyond .

Adjunct Professor George Newhouse will be stepping down from his current position, having chaired the Partnership for Justice in Health. He will continue to represent the National Justice Project as a P4JH Leadership Group Member. Mr Newhouse said:

“It has been a privilege to work with the P4JH in this role over the past years and I appreciate what all the members of the Partnership have worked to achieve so far. In stepping down from co-Chair, I look forward to the positive influence that Juanita will undoubtedly lead through P4JH initiatives”

Kuku Yalanji man, Karl Briscoe, will continue his role as co-Chair alongside Professor Sherwood:

“Juanita has been advocating for cultural safety in health and the detrimental effects of racism on determinants of health for over close to three decades. I am looking forward to working together to continue the P4JH’s campaign for national action as we work towards a future where health and justice systems are free from racism.”

Professor Sherwood’s landmark research has recognised colonisation as a primary political determinant causing 200 years of deficit discourse influencing health care provision that has impacted on First Nations peoples ’health and social and emotional wellbeing. She has led the popularised discourse of decolonising praxes across teaching, education, research and healthcare. She is currently involved in several health and justice projects supporting communities and their Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations to undertake research that are their own priorities for making a difference. Research in our hands is a powerful tool and is achieving improved health outcomes that we can be proud of. She is involved in First Nations justice in health initiatives internationally.

About commencing her role as co-Chair for the P4JH, Professor Sherwood shared:

“I am very excited about taking up this role and to be able to work closely with Karl, the secretariat and our members. I have been able to witness the positive impacts that the Partnership has been able to achieve for our communities over the last few years. We are making a difference, and we are being heard, and our voices, hearts and actions will continue to be utilised to work for strengthening our wellbeing and longevity.

Today because of P4JH our people know they have health rights, this is an achievement that, does make a difference when only decades ago, we did not share these rights.”

Professor Sherwood will commence her role as co-Chair on July 1, 2024.

For any media enquiries, please email the Secretariat for the Partnership for Justice in Health at secretariat@p4jh.org.au