Dr Donna Ah Chee has been named as the recipient of the 2024 Menzies Medallion.

The award is the highest offered by Menzies School of Health Research. Awarded by the Menzies Board, the honour recognises Dr Ah Chee's outstanding health advocacy, leadership and unwavering commitment to working to create real and lasting improvements to the lives of all Territorians.

The Medallion, will be presented to Dr Ah Chee at next week's Menzies Oration on Friday 1 November.

The award acknowledges her significant contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of Central Australian Aboriginal communities.

Dr Ah Chee, a proud Bundjalung woman who has called Central Australia home for over 30 years, serves as the chief executive of one of Australia's largest Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services; Central Australian Aboriginal Congress.

She has played a pivotal role in shaping a comprehensive, culturally responsive model of primary healthcare across the region.

Her passion, dedication and deep understanding of the needs of the community continue to drive her health advocacy of closing the gap.

"I am humbled to have been presented with the Menzies Medallion, especially in light of previous distinguished recipients of this award, especially those Aboriginal people whose leadership has been recognised," she said.

"I accept the Medallion on behalf of the Board and staff of Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, because one thing I have learnt over my career is that Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services like Congress really make a difference to the health of our communities."

Some of her key career milestones in research include being a founding board member of the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health in 1997, serving on the Boards of both the Lowitja Institute and Menzies, and playing a pivotal role in establishing the Central Australian Academic Health Science Network.

Professor Alan Cass AO of Menzies expresses his gratitude for Dr Ah Chee

"We are proud to recognise and celebrate Dr Donna Ah Chee for her significant contribution to health in the Territory.

"Her decades of work in advancing health services, research and education across Central Australia has been instrumental in improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Territorians.

"Congratulations Donna on receiving the 2024 Menzies Medallion."

Through Dr Ah Chee's leadership, Menzies and Congress have a long-standing partnership, working together to address the issues that matter to the community and to gather and promote the evidence of what works to address them.

In addition to Dr Ah Chee's recognition, the Companion of Menzies Award will also be presented at Friday's ceremony to Mr Amin Islam OAM, Dr Bilawarra Lee OAM and Mr Peter Plummer.

Starting at 4pm, the event will see Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians deliver the 2024 Oration.

Minister McCarthy will talk about her key role in driving national policy for and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.