Surgeon Named as WA Social Entrepreneur
29 August 2013 at 10:41 am
Burns surgeon and founder of the Fiona Wood Foundation, Dr Fiona Wood has been named as the West Australian social entrepreneur of the year in the 2013 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards in Perth.
In 1999, burns surgeon Dr Fiona Wood co-founded the McComb Foundation. Now known as the Fiona Wood Foundation, the organisation was set up to advance the development of innovative treatments for use in burn injuries and other trauma.
In recognition of her work with the Bali bombing victims, Dr Wood was named a Member of the Order of Australia in 2003. She has also received the Australian Medical Association’s ‘Contribution to Medicine’ award and was named Australian of the Year in 2005. Through the foundation, Dr Wood is continuing her research into tissue repair and reconstruction, improving patient quality of life and return to pre?injury condition.
EY Perth Office Managing Partner, Michael Anghie said the WA winners were well-deserving of the awards, demonstrating vision, passion, innovation and a strong determination to succeed.
The winners of the 2013 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Western Region awards, in the non-competitive categories were:
- Listed award – Geoff Baker, MACA
- Social entrepreneur – Dr Fiona Wood AM, The Fiona Wood Foundation
- Champion of Entrepreneurship – Rod Jones, Navitas
“Entrepreneurs believe in a better way of doing things. By challenging the status quo they create significant economic benefits and social change in our communities,” Anghie said.
“The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are a celebration of the successes of these individuals, each of whom makes a significant contribution to Western Australia by creating new jobs, fuelling growth and driving productivity.”
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards encourage entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognises the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.
The Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program, launched in 2001, is conducted in five regions culminating in the national awards. The program honours entrepreneurs whose ingenuity and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures.
The Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year program now has alumni of over 1,200 entrepreneurs who have participated in the program, including alumni judges, and 15,000 people who have attended Entrepreneur Of The Year events and award ceremonies.
