NECA is delighted to announce that our CEO, Meredith Cummins, has been named Health and Social Services Government Relations Practitioner of the Year at the inaugural Advocacy Excellence Awards, presented by Women in Government Relations Australia (WGRA) at Parliament House on 27 October.
Government relations is the work of speaking up for our patients and the health sector with Members of Parliament and policy makers, so that decisions made in government reflect what people actually need. The award recognises strategic policy navigation and compassionate advocacy across health, aged care, disability services, mental health, community services and social policy, work that improves access, public outcomes and evidence-based policy.
For the neuroendocrine cancer community, this work matters. Neuroendocrine cancers are a cancer which is poorly understood, often diagnosed late, and many people struggle to access the specialist care, treatments and support they need. Meredith’s advocacy has helped speed up access to treatments and has put the case to government for ongoing funding for NECA’s specialist telehealth team, so that people living with neuroendocrine cancer can reach expert support, wherever they live. It reflects the many hours she has put into building relationships with MPs around Australia, and it keeps our community’s needs in front of the people who make the decisions.
WGRA launched in March this year. It is a practical, inclusive network for women working in government relations, focused on mentoring, professional development and training.
Congratulations, Meredith, and thank you for everything you do for NECA and the people we support.
