Silverchain's Dr Karen Smith awarded OAM

Dr Karen Smith, Silverchain’s National Director of Research and Evidence, has been recognised for her service to paramedicine, and was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of the recent Australia Day Honours List.

The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement. Smith said she was humbled to have received such a distinguished award.

“Receiving an email in January from the Governor-General that I would be awarded an OAM on Australia Day was a lovely surprise,” Smith said.

“It is an absolute honour to receive this award, I feel very humbled. It is the culmination of many years’ work and collaboration with many fantastic people.”

Smith has been involved with paramedicine for more than 20 years and she currently holds Adjunct and Associate Adjunct Professorships at Monash University and the University of Western Australia. She is also the Chief Investigator for pre-hospital emergency care at the Centre for Research Excellence and sits on multiple advisory boards.

Before joining Silverchain, Smith established the Centre for Research and Evaluation at Ambulance Victoria, where she was the director.

In Silverchain’s Future Care team, Smith works with academics plus industry and international leaders to understand the value and impact of their services and how the next generation of care can be shaped.

Silverchain Chief Executive Dale Fisher said Smith’s accolade was well deserved.

“Dr Smith brings a passion for improving patient outcomes through evaluation, research and innovation, contributing to our commitment to home care leadership,” Fisher said.

Image: Dr Karen Smith. Supplied by Silverchain.