Dr Bruce Bolam has joined the Department of Health and Human Services as the Chief Preventive Health Officer after five years as the Executive Manager for Programs at VicHealth.
In taking up this new and challenging role, Bruce says he is excited to be “working on an incredibly wide-ranging portfolio of issues across the department, government and the wider world. I am also keen to make it easier for my team to do their jobs and make a difference to the health of all Victorians.”
During his time at VicHealth, Bruce oversaw the development and delivery of research, programs and multi-sectoral partnerships. He was also the inaugural Co-Director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Leadership in Health Promotion hosted by VicHealth.
Bruce frequently presents as an invited speaker at national and international conferences, publishes in the scientific literature. He is also one of only seventy Fellows of the Public Health Association of Australia in recognition of his contribution to the field.
Prior to his time at VicHealth, Bruce worked in a variety of senior public health roles in healthcare, academic and non-government organisations. This includes becoming one of the first non-medical specialist trainees in public health at the UK’s national health service, leading the development of the Victorian Immunisation Strategy 2009-2012 and the Victorian Tobacco Control Strategy 2008-2013 and leading the development, implementation and evaluation of prevention policies and programs at the National Stroke Foundation.
Although his work has covered a range of areas, Bruce is most proud of his decade of work in tobacco control.
“There's been unbelievable progress against the epidemic of smoking-related disease, and still much work to do and lives to be saved. I'm proud to have been part of the movement, “ he says.
Bruce is passionate about making a difference and is excited by the prospect of taking up the role of the Chief Preventive Health Officer and helping to improve the health outcomes of all Victorians.
You can find out more about the role of the Chief Preventive Health Officer on the Department's website.
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