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Dr. Vanessa Brunelli, the McGrath Foundation’s Head of Nurse Education and Research, has received an international award recognising her transformative impact on Australian lung cancer care.
The McGrath Foundation is proud to celebrate Dr. Vanessa Brunelli, who has been named the 2026 recipient of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) Lectureship Award for Nurses and Allied Health Professionals.
The Award recognises exceptional nursing and allied health professionals who have advanced multidisciplinary care and improved outcomes for people with thoracic cancer through clinical excellence, education and advocacy.
The recognition comes from one of the world’s leading authorities on lung cancer and other thoracic cancers. IASLC is a global network dedicated to the study and eradication of lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies, bringing together specialists across research, clinical practice, nursing, allied health, patient care and advocacy.
Vanessa has been recognised for her transformative impact on Australian lung cancer care and nurse workforce policy. Across her career, she has advanced lung cancer nursing through research, education, leadership, and mentoring the next generation of cancer nurse researchers, with a focus on improving the quality and equity of care for people affected by lung cancer.
“Whilst it is an incredible honour to receive this recognition from the IASLC I share this Award with my colleagues, including our amazing lung cancer patient advocates.
“For me, it’s about making sure our evidence translates into better care. In partnering with my colleagues and people with lived experience, collaborating with expert partners and stakeholders, we can better understand how to enable specialist cancer nurses to deliver high-quality, person-centered care and ultimately improve the experience and outcomes of people living with cancer,” Vanessa said.
“For me, it’s about making sure our evidence translates into better care.”
- Dr. Vanessa Brunelli | McGrath Foundation, Head of Nurse Education & Research
Ryan Barlow, CEO of the McGrath Foundation, said the Award was a fitting recognition of Vanessa’s contribution to specialist cancer nursing and her commitment to improving outcomes for people affected by cancer.
“We’re incredibly proud to see Vanessa’s expertise recognised on an international stage. This Award is a well-deserved recognition of Vanessa's contribution to cancer nursing research, education and leadership, and her commitment to improving care for people affected by cancer. Congratulations to Vanessa on this outstanding achievement.”
Kerry Patford is the Chief Nurse at the McGrath Foundation, where she supports, mentors, and collaborates with Nurse Clinical Leads across all Australian states and territories alongside the cohort of McGrath Cancer Care Nurses spread across Australia.
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