21/02/2025
🌟 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🌍
I remain deeply honored and humbled to have been appointed as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the esteemed School of Public Health at the University of Sydney, Australia. This honorary appointment is a testament to my accomplishments and the contributions I've made to the field of Public Health across the globe. 🌐 My Boss reminded me this week that I need to make time to celebrate my achievements - she reminded me that I was named staff memebr of the Year 2024/25 for my organisation as well. Wow!
Reflecting on my journey from being a frontline Environmental Health Officer to a Public Health/Bio-preparedness Epidemiologist, Researcher, and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible opportunities and experiences that have shaped my career. 📈📚 With over 60 publications in peer-reviewed journals and books, and memberships in various industry and community-based organisations, I am privileged to have been recognised for my leadership in these fields.
Recently, the leadership of my Department and my cherished work team celebrated this new appointment with heartfelt gestures of flowers and cake. It was a profoundly heartwarming experience, reminding me of the value of appreciation and recognition at all levels. 💐🍰
Indeed, our journeys can be likened to a mango tree, where both green and ripe mangoes coexist on the same stem. While both come from the same source, the ripe mango reached its fullness at a different time than the green one. 🍃🥭 This analogy serves as a gentle reminder that not all fruits ripen simultaneously. For those who are late bloomers, be patient, your time to shine will come. For those who bloom early, remain humble as your elevation is a beacon of hope for those who observe you, demonstrating the possibilities within reach. 🌟
Being true to who I am though, I cant help but reflect on the deeper meaning behind of all of this. Here are four key nuggets I've learned along this journey:
𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Success is rarely a stroke of luck; it is the result of consistent effort and an unwavering commitment to your goals. Every small step forward accumulates into extraordinary achievements. 🏆
𝟮. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of others fosters an environment of encouragement and appreciation. Celebrating wins, big or small, can profoundly impact team morale and motivation. 🎉
𝟯. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗜t's essential to celebrate the successes of our colleagues. When we uplift one another, we inspire not only the individual but the entire team to persevere, thrive, and excel. 🌟
𝟰. 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: The path to success is often lined with obstacles. Embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth and remain steadfast in your pursuit of excellence. 🌱
I am incredibly grateful for this recognition and the support of those around me. I encourage us all to continue to strive for excellence and inspire others to do the same. Thank you for being part of my incredible journey! 🙏