Reflecting on her journey, Professor McGready said: “I came for 6 months [to the Thai–Myanmar border] and it’s been more than 30 years, thanks to the incredibly brave Karen and Burmese women.”
For more than three decades, Prof McGready has worked alongside Karen and Burmese communities who have fled violence, human rights abuses, and poverty in Myanmar. Despite crossing into Thailand, many migrants continue to face significant barriers in accessing public health services. Pregnant women, newborns, and young children are among the most vulnerable.
Prof McGready helped establish a network of locally run clinics that provide essential maternal and child healthcare, infectious disease prevention, and life-saving treatment. These services have supported thousands of women and children, dramatically improving health outcomes in the region.
Rose’s pioneering research on malaria in pregnancy has transformed global medical practice. Her findings have been adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the international standard for combating malaria among pregnant women, saving countless lives.
The ACT Australian of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the community in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) community and serve as inspirational role models. Winners become finalists for the national Australian of the Year Awards, which are announced annually on 25 Jan.
Please join SMRU, the Borderland Health Foundation (BHF), and the MORU Tropical Health Network as we honour Rose for her unwavering commitment, compassion, and world-leading research that continues to bring hope and healing to vulnerable communities across the Thai-Myanmar border region and beyond. We are thrilled for Rose to receive this well-earned recognition and wish her the best of luck in the final contest in Jan 2026.
- Thanks to Mellie Gilder and Saw Htee K Paung for text contributions.
Photo courtesy of the ACT Australian of the Year Awards.