Medical Journal of Australia appoints new Editor in Chief

Professor Leeder brings enormous experience and knowledge to the Journal.  He is ideally suited to steer the MJA as it embraces new media and new strategies to bring world-leading Australian medical research and commentary to a broad national and international audience through the Journal.

Stephen Leeder is a professor of public health and community medicine at the University of Sydney and former Director of the Menzies Centre for Health Policy.  He has a long history of involvement in public health research, educational development and policy.  His research interests as a clinical epidemiologist have been mainly asthma and cardiovascular disease.

Professor Leeder graduated in medical science from the University of Sydney in 1962, in medicine in 1966 and as a Doctor of Philosophy in 1974.  He was Dean of the Medical Faculty at the University of Sydney between 1996 and 2002 during which time he oversaw the implementation of a new graduate educational program and the formation of an extensive rural education network for medical students.  He has also served on the Senate of the University of Sydney for several terms, had two double terms as national president of the Public Health Association, and one triennium as chair of the Health Advisory Committee of NHMRC.

Professor Leeder has 35 years of experience in epidemiological research, medical education reform and in mentoring young investigators.  Most of his research has been collaborative and he has always sought ways of ensuring the career development of members of his teams.

Professor Leeder formally commences with the MJA from today.

The Board wishes to acknowledge the contribution from Acting Editor, Dr Ann Gregory, and Senior Deputy Editor, Dr Ruth Armstrong, since September 2012.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

6 May 2013

Media contact:                       John Flannery – 0419 494 761/02 6287 5752