- Inducted:
- 2012
- Category:
- Honour Roll
In 1971, Dr Jean Hailes established the first women's health clinic in Australia at Prince Henry's Hospital in Melbourne, dedicated to midlife health and menopause.
With passion, vision and hard work, she pioneered menopause management in Australia and was well ahead of her time in publically addressing this once taboo subject.
Jean advocated for women in the press and on radio, to demystify women's midlife health issues long before such health promotion initiatives were common.
A proud Victorian, Jean had a vision to improve the quality of women's lives and give practical information based on the best available evidence. She encouraged women to understand their right to know the facts about health, to know their choices and to have the confidence to ask for a second opinion.
Following her death in 1988, Jean's expertise and determination to make a difference inspired her colleagues to set up the Dr Jean Hailes Foundation.
Jean's vision for further research, clinical practice and education in women's health is now inspiring future generations.
Dr Jean Hailes was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia, AM, in 1986, for service to medicine, particularly in relation to women.
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