University of Newcastle Professor Vanessa McDonald has been recognised as a Lung Health Legend by Lung Foundation Australia, cementing her status as a national leader in respiratory health research.

Professor McDonald received the prestigious award for her outstanding contribution to improving the lives of Australians with lung disease over more than two decades of dedicated work.

“This award recognises people who’ve made a real difference to lung health in Australia,” said Professor McDonald.

“It’s an honour to be recognised alongside other dedicated healthcare professionals who are working to improve outcomes for people with lung disease. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible teams focused on finding better solutions for people living with respiratory conditions.”

The award was presented at the Lung Foundation’s Hope Research Fund Alumni Dinner in Adelaide last month, held during the annual Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) conference, where leading respiratory researchers and clinicians gather to share the latest advances in the field.

Professor McDonald’s journey in respiratory health began over 25 years ago when she first worked as a clinical nurse consultant in respiratory medicine at Hunter New England Local Health District. After completing her PhD, she joined the University of Newcastle in 2011, where she has led an impressive research program focused on innovative approaches to managing complex airway diseases.

“What we’ve been trying to do is move beyond the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to treating respiratory conditions,” Professor McDonald explained. “Every patient presents differently, with unique combinations of symptoms, triggers, and responses to treatment. Our research is about identifying these individual ‘treatable traits’ and developing targeted interventions that address each person’s specific needs.”

As director of the HMRI Asthma and Breathing program and the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Asthma Treatable Traits, Professor McDonald leads multidisciplinary teams investigating everything from basic biological mechanisms to clinical applications and health policy development.

Her dual role as an academic clinical nurse consultant in the Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at John Hunter Hospital ensures her research is firmly grounded in real-world patient needs.

“The connection between clinical work and research is essential,” said Professor McDonald. “When you’re regularly seeing patients with severe asthma or COPD struggling to breathe, you understand the urgency of finding better treatments. And when we develop something promising in the lab or through clinical trials, I can help translate that directly into practice.”

This bench-to-bedside approach has been a hallmark of Professor McDonald’s career, resulting in over 230 peer-reviewed journal articles that have helped shape respiratory care guidelines both nationally and internationally.

Her contributions to Lung Foundation Australia have been equally significant. Professor McDonald has served on numerous committees and working groups, including the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Guidelines Executive Committee, the COPD-X Guideline Writing Committee, and as Chair of the COPD online nurse training committee.

Despite her impressive achievements, Professor McDonald remains focused on the challenges ahead.

“We’ve made tremendous progress in understanding and treating respiratory diseases, but there’s still so much work to be done,” she said. “Lung conditions remain among the leading causes of death and disability in Australia. Our current research is looking at more personalised approaches to treatment, digital health innovations to improve access to care, and better support for patients managing chronic conditions.”

For Professor McDonald, the Lung Health Legend Award represents not just recognition of past achievements, but motivation for future work.

“What drives me is seeing our research translate into better care for patients,” Professor McDonald said. “When you’ve worked with lung disease patients for as long as I have, you understand how vital it is to find better ways to help people breathe easier and live better. This award encourages our team to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”

The Lung Health Legend Award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to advancing Lung Foundation Australia’s mission of improving lung health and reducing the impact of lung disease.