Kerry Gai ChantAOPSM is a public health physician who has been the chief health officer of New South Wales, Australia, since 2008. She gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic providing regular public health advice for New South Wales, a contribution for which she was named the state's Woman of the Year in March 2021.[1]
Chant has been with the New South Wales Health Department since 1991 working in the areas of virus infections, communicable diseases prevention and control and Indigenous health.[6] She is currently the Deputy Secretary, Population and Public Health and Chief Health Officer.[7] Prior to this, Chant was Director, Public Health Unit in Sydney South West Area Health Service; Director, Health Protection and Deputy Chief Health Officer. In 2013, she was threatened for advocating fluoridation of the water supply in the City of Lismore.[8] During the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chant often appeared alongside premier Gladys Berejiklian when providing health updates and advice to the public.[9]
Awards
2021: NSW Premier's Woman of the Year, and Woman of Excellence Award[10]
2020: UNSW Chancellor's Award for Exceptional Alumni Achievement[11]
2015: Australian Public Service Medal for "outstanding public service to population health in New South Wales"[12]