Sue Gordon departs ARIIA
ARIIA has paid tribute to Professor Sue Gordon, saying the organisation has flourished under her leadership.
The research director of Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia Professor Sue Gordon has left the organisation after helping set up and establish it.
ARIIA has paid tribute to her contributions, saying the organisation flourished under her leadership over the past three years and that it looked forward to continuing to work with her in a consulting capacity for the next few months.
Professor Gordon said after two years developing the concept of ARIIA via a national consultative process and three years of working to get ARIIA off the ground and running, it was time to slow the pace.
“I decided that it was time to finish full-time work and look at not having quite so many commitments,” she told Community Care Review.
“It’s been a great privilege, and I’m very proud of what ARIIA has achieved. Over the last three years, we’ve been able to have an impact on how the sector innovates, and how it implements evidence into practice. This has involved developing a library of evidence, delivering the innovator training program and funding over 60 translational research projects.”
The foundations are solid and I leave ARIIA in a good shape
Professor Sue Gordon
Professor Gordon says she’ll continue to work for ARIIA, and the aged care sector in general, on a consultancy basis, as well as continue in her roles on committees for various aged care providers.
“We’ve established a solid team at ARIIA, and now others are in a position to take that on and carry it forward. The foundations are solid and I leave ARIIA in good shape.”
Professor Gordon was central to the successful tenders, announced in 2020, that developed the model for ARIIA, and oversaw its establishment at Flinders University and continuing expansion under a $34 million government grant.
This has included building a team of over 30 specialists dedicated to advancing evidence-based practices in aged care and the creation of the ARIIA Grants Program.
With a background in physiotherapy, Professor Gordon has also had a long career in academia. Her research has covered healthy ageing, pre-frailty, functional decline, and the development of the aged care workforce. Her work has led to over 130 peer-reviewed publications and attracted more than $64 million in grants. Her contribution has been acknowledged by the award of Emeritus Professor from Flinders University.
“Sue’s passion for translational research, evidence-based innovation, and community engagement has driven many successful initiatives, and her impact on ARIIA is both profound and enduring,” ARIIA said in a statement.
“Her vision and dedication have shaped ARIIA as a unique group to support the development of the sector.”
ARIIA chief executive officer Reuben Jacob said Professor Gordon’s wisdom and leadership had significantly contributed to the delivery of all mandated ARIIA deliverables.
“While I will miss having her in the team, I’m glad that Sue will continue to consult with us for the next few months as we build on the foundation of ARIIA and move into the next phase,” in a statement.
ARIIA, which launched as the Aged Care Centre for Growth and Translational Research in December 2021, is funded for three years until the end of October 2024.
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