The Claire Boardman Medal for Leadership in Infection Prevention and Control

The Claire Boardman Medal for Leadership in Infection Prevention and Control

The Claire Boardman Medal for Leadership in Infection Prevention and Control is the highest honour of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control. The medal is awarded in recognition of the College’s Inaugural President, Ms Claire Boardman, and her leadership in establishing the College. The Claire Boardman Medal for Leadership in Infection Prevention and Control is bestowed upon a member of the College who demonstrates outstanding commitment and leadership to the College and the profession and practice of infection prevention and control.

The award includes

• The Claire Boardman Medal for Leadership in Infection Prevention and Control
• Entry onto the Claire Boardman Medal for Leadership in Infection Prevention and Control Perpetual Trophy
• $2,000 prize money

Entry Criteria

• Demonstrated excellence in leadership in infection prevention and control practice over a consistent period
  Leaders may have implemented change within their group, their peers or organisation that has altered the way people think and perform. They may have overcome significant difficulty or adversity to achieve excellent outcomes within the profession or for their organisation. By setting an example through their leadership and drive the nominee may have worked toward improving patient care, health systems, governance or knowledge.
• Demonstrated leadership commitment to the profession and discipline of infection prevention and control
• Demonstrated leadership commitment to the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control
• Demonstrated excellence in promoting infection prevention and control practice
• The nominee must be a financial member of ACIPC at time of nomination
• The nominee (or delegate) must register and attend the ACIPC Annual Conference

Medal Rules

• The Claire Boardman Medal for Leadership in Infection Prevention and Control is a biennial award
• The ACIPC Board will appoint a Selection Panel comprising the Chair, Ms Claire Boardman, and two panel members, one of whom is an experienced ICP
• The Medal is awarded by the ACIPC Board on the recommendation of the Selection Panel
• The Medal will only be awarded when the Selection Panel deems an appropriate nomination has been received
• The Medal may not be awarded in a given year
• The decision of the Selection Panel and the ACIPC Board is final
• The Medal will be presented at the ACIPC Annual Conference

Application Process

• Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by a third-party
• If a nomination is made by a third-party, please advise if the nominee is aware of their nomination at the time of submission
• The entry form can be downloaded above
• Nominations must be submitted by emailing office@acipc.org.au 
• Nominations must address all entry criteria
• Nominations must be received by the specified closing time and date
• Nominations received after the closing date or those that do not address the entry criteria will be excluded from selection
• All nominations are confidential
• The Selection Panel may contact the nominee and/or nominator during the selection process

Claire Boardman PSM

Masters of Public Health, University of Melbourne, 2005; Bachelor of Applied Science (Nursing), Monash University, 1991; Graduate Diploma in Infection Control, University of Western Sydney, 1995. Queen’s Birthday Honors Public Service Medal (PSM), 2022

As the inaugural recipient of the ACIPC Leadership medal named in her honor Claire has worked in diverse senior leadership roles in Infection Prevention and Control and Public Health including working with jurisdictions and Indigenous communities to improve healthcare outcomes for those affected by acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) as Deputy Director for RHD Australia based at Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin. More recently she lead the Infection Prevention and Control Advice and Response (IPCAR) team within the Victorian Department of Health as Executive Director | Deputy Public Health Commander.

In her public health capacity Claire has worked with GOARN (Global Outbreak and Response Network) and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in complex disaster and developing nation settings and has a strong ongoing interest in climate change and health, healthcare economics and Indigenous issues and is committed to addressing social inequities and disadvantage experienced in vulnerable populations. She has held ACIPC President, board and governance appointments, was a Board Director for CRANA (Council of Remote Area Nurses Australia) and has been appointed to several Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPC) expert committees. As an academic Claire has taught IPC at Griffith, James Cook, UWA and Melbourne University and is currently an Associate at School of Nursing and Midwifery at Monash University.

In 2013 Claire won one of four prestigious Council of Executive Women Scholarships to attend the Australian Graduate School of Management Women in Leadership course at UNSW that has assisted her in developing her leadership skills and executive presence. In 2014, Claire was a Northern Territory finalist for the Australian of the Year Awards and in 2022, Claire was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) for her outstanding work on the COVID response in Victoria, an achievement for which she is most proud.