Indian-Australian Dr Manasi Murthy Mittinty, a Harvard-trained expert in pain management and mental health equity, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Margaret Kelaher Oration Award.
“Professor Kelaher’s legacy in advancing health equity makes this award particularly meaningful to me,” Dr Mittinty said on LInkedIn.
“My work across pain, disability, and mental health is shaped by lived experience and grounded in compassion, partnership, and impact. I look forward to continuing this important work.”
The award, established in 2025 by the Centre for Health Policy at the University of Melbourne, recognises emerging research leaders whose work has significantly advanced health equity and improved outcomes for populations facing disproportionate challenges.
The award is presented annually to a staff member within the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health for a decade of impactful research.
Driven by her own experience with chronic pain, Dr Mittinty has built a globally recognised career bridging research, lived experience, and system reform. Her work focuses on transforming healthcare systems into culturally responsive, inclusive, and human-centred environments, with particular attention to First Nations peoples, culturally diverse communities, and those affected by chronic pain and mental health disparities.
Through peer-reviewed publications and over 20 consumer-facing articles, Dr Mittinty has influenced clinical practice, policy, and public discourse. Her research spans chronic pain, disability, psychosocial interventions, dyadic coping, and system-level health reform, consistently promoting equity and empathy in care delivery.
Dr Mittinty’s leadership has been recognised nationally and internationally, including awards such as the Women & Leadership Australia South Australia State Winner, Women’s Agenda Emerging Leader in Health, Hind-Rattan-Jewel of India, and the Gargi Award in Science, among others.
Beyond research, she mentors the next generation of health leaders, leads cross-sector collaborations, and advocates for policies addressing health disparities at their root.
The award includes a $5000 cash prize and the opportunity to deliver an oration at the University of Melbourne based on her research.
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