Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Award

Boost the career of an emerging leader by nominating them for the Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Award.

2025 Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Award

Every year, ASHM’s Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Award identifies and uplifts future key opinion leaders making an impact across blood-borne viruses (BBVs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and sexual and reproductive health. The Award is given to those working in the sector who have demonstrated outstanding leadership while still early in their career.

To be eligible, nominees must be a healthcare professional working in the BBV, STI, or sexual and reproductive health fields in Australia or Aotearoa/New Zealand, and early to mid-career (less than 10 years in sector). Nominations are open to those working in both clinical and non-clinical based roles.

Award inclusions for the Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Award

The recipients of the Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Award 2025 will receive:

– Free ASHM Ordinary Membership valid for 12 months.

– Full attendance to the 15th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference to be held between the dates of 6-8 August 2025.

– Travel Return economy class flights to Melbourne (as per availability booked as Best Fare of the day). No upgrades or additional flight tickets can be purchased.

– Up to a maximum of 3 nights’ Accommodation (at a hotel nominated by ASHM, for the duration of the conference only)

– Deliver a 10-minute oral presentation on receipt of the award at the 15th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference.

Award Nomination Criteria

Healthcare professional working in the Viral Hepatitis field in Australia or/and New Zealand (nominee can be a clinical or non-clinical based worker):

1. Early to mid-career (0-10 years working in the sector)

2. Demonstrated leadership achievement in areas including:

– Their leadership is bold, innovative, inclusive and inspires collaboration in the sector.

– Seeks to establish, promote and strengthen meaningful partnerships and collaborative opportunities to drive outcomes.

– Ensures community-based and person-centred care and engagement at all times.

– Commitment to ongoing development of knowledge and skills in the sector, and application of evidence-based practice.

– Successful advocacy with government and/or other regulatory bodies.

– Actively shares responsibility, authority, information and credit when working towards the achievement of a goal.

– Sets a high standard of integrity by leading through example and maintains high personal standards.

NOTE: Nomination is open to all, and not restricted by an active ASHM membership.

About the Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Award

The Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Award honours the inspirational legacy of former ASHM CEO Levinia Crooks, AM in mentoring young leaders and bringing together the global HIV, BBV, and sexual and reproductive health sectors to create change.

Since 2018, the Award has been presented at ASHM conferences where winners are given the spotlight amongst international leaders in the sector. Former recipients have gone on to make significant contributions across research, community intervention, advocacy, and mentorship. Past winners are listed below.

Levinia's Legacy

Adjunct Associate Professor Levinia Crooks AM, Chief Executive Officer of ASHM from 1999 to 2017, was a uniting force for change and champion of people’s rights in the Australasian health sector for over 30 years.

She began in the 1980s supporting her friends and colleagues impacted by HIV/AIDS, conducting social research to inform the development of counselling and support services for people living with HIV. She also served as President of the AIDS Council of NSW and Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, as well as on the Board of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO, now named Health Equity Matters).

Her drive and focus on the needs of the workforce in HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexual health pioneered ASHM as a provider of high-quality resources and training. Levinia developed a wide range of educational resources and provided robust advocacy for many initiatives that resulted in increased access to HIV and viral hepatitis treatments.

In 2008 she was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to HIV policy, her care for people with HIV, and her contribution to health generally. In 2015 she was further honoured with the ACON President’s Award in recognition of a lifetime dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people affected by HIV and AIDS.

Levinia passed away on 16th October 2017 after a long and courageously fought illness. Levinia leaves us all a major and extensive legacy to carry forward and build upon, with countless lives in our region positively impacted by her energetic, pragmatic, visionary, brave and can-do approach. The Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Award honours the mentorship and support Levinia provided to countless early and mid-career health professionals, and her significant contributions to the sector as a whole.

The above is based on ‘Vale Levinia Crooks’

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Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Award 2024 Winners Announced

Early-to-mid career leaders in BBVs, STIs, and sexual and reproductive health recognised

Announcing the winner of the 2022 Levinia Crooks Emerging Leaders Award in BBVs and STIs – Skye McGregor

The Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Awards were first introduced in 2018, as a way of honouring Levinia’s impressive legacy and contribution.

The Winner of the 2022 Levinia Crooks Emerging Leaders Award in Viral Hepatitis

It is with great pleasure that we announce the winner of the ASHM 2022 Levinia Crooks Emerging Leaders Award in Viral Hepatitis is Tom Wright.

Upcoming Conferences and Events

Sector Event

West Coast Liver Meeting

16 - 17 May 2025
Pullman Bunker Bay, WA, Australia
Sector Event

Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPAC Canada) National Conference 2025

1 Jun 2025
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Sector Event

27th Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health

16 - 19 Jun 2025
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Meanjin (Brisbane), QLD, Australia