The Flinders Caring Futures Institute (CFI) is thrilled to welcome internationally renowned cancer nurse leader and researcher Professor Ray Chan to the inaugural role of Director.

Prof Chan will commence at Flinders on 3 August and will play a crucial part in driving the research priorities of the Institute to lead to better self-care and caring solutions across the lifespan.

Originally from Queensland, Professor Chan joins us from the Queensland University of Technology’s School of Nursing where he held a joint position as Chair in Cancer Nursing at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Prof Chan says he is looking forward to leading an innovative team of researchers in the CFI.

“I am excited about our interdisciplinary efforts to enable better self-care and caring solutions across the lifespan,” he says. “I endeavour to create and facilitate an optimal environment for our innovations to grow!”

CNHS Vice President and Executive Dean and CFI Foundational Director Professor Alison Kitson’s vision for the Institute is to create better lives, communities, care and systems across the population’s lifespan.

Professor Kitson says she is confident the appointment of Prof Chan will help build the Institute’s capacity and vision for change in how we care for ourselves and others.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be welcoming Ray to Flinders and to the CFI,” she says.

“Ray has all the qualities we are looking for in a transformational leader who will set the path towards excellence in all that we do in CFI. His reputation is exceptional and we look forward to welcoming him, his family and his research team to CFI, Flinders and South Australia.

“Our CFI vision is to change care in the world and with Ray on board we are one step closer to achieving this.”

Professor Chan is an NHMRC Investigator Fellow, with his program of research focusing on optimising models of care for survivors of cancer.

Among many impressive feats, Prof Chan has published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and two book chapters as well as attract over $23.2 million in research funding as a Chief Investigator.

Prof Chan holds many other national and international leadership roles. He is currently an adviser to Cancer Australia, Australian Government, as well as a Board Director for the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care. In March 2021, Prof Chan was inducted to the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame.

Prof Chan began his nursing career in Brisbane almost 20 years ago and since then has gone on to become highly recognised for his contribution to cancer nursing and cancer care research.

His recent work includes an NHMRC-funded, national implementation of cancer follow-up care shared between general practitioners and cancer specialists. His recent clinical trial work also led to the widespread adoption of a novel silicone-based gel dressing to prevent and better manage radiation treatment side effects in cancer patients.