Dr Janet Hailes Michelmore AO
Dr Janet Michelmore is a founder, former CEO, Board member, and now Patron of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health. This national not for profit organisation was established in 1992 with a vision to provide practical, accessible, expert health information for all Australian women and girls. It was established to honour the outstanding contribution of Dr Jean Hailes AM to women’s health. The organisation was designated Australia’s national digital gateway for women’s health in 2019 and coordinated the development of the Australian Government’s National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030.
Dr Michelmore has graduated twice from Monash University; once with a Bachelor of Arts in 1974 and a Diploma of Education in 1975.
Dr Michelmore credits her early career in education as a foundation stone for what has become a nationally recognised reputation for partnership and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including researchers, clinicians, consumers, corporates, and policy makers, in women’s health across Australia. Her success in bringing diverse stakeholders together has led to her being appointed to multiple positions on a wide variety of Federal and State Government committees and working parties. This has included being a member of the Expert Steering Committee advising the Federal Government on the development of a 10 year National Women’s Health Strategy in 2010 and again in 2020, and on the development of a National Action Plan on Endometriosis released in 2018. She was also a member of the expert group that developed the National Preventive Health Strategy 2021 – 2030. Dr Michelmore continues to be a member of the Endometriosis Advisory Group to the Australian Government.
Dr Michelmore’s key strength is guiding the translation of the latest evidence into programs and products for women, their communities and health professionals in a way that matches her own commitment to meeting the ever-changing needs of women. Dr Michelmore’s emphasis on enabling community action has not only served to up-skill and build capacity in women to successfully manage their own health needs, but has also included opportunities for health professionals to increase their confidence in proactively addressing community needs.
Dr Michelmore is also a Board Member of SugarByHalf whose mission is to reduce Australia’s added sugar consumption by half.
Dr Michelmore’s contribution to the women of Australia has been recognised widely. In 2001, she was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO); in 2003, a Centenary Medal; in 2013, she was inducted into the Victorian Honor Roll of Women and in 2015, she was made a Fellow of Monash University.