Australian/American Nurse Researcher

Linda Reaby is in the news, and here

(click on the photograph for larger image)

Dr. Reaby and her Order of Australia Medal

She was awarded the Royal Order of Australia, one of that country's highest honor for her leadership in introducing academic-based nursing and continuing education programs in Australia.

Dr. Linda Reaby, Associate Professor at the University of Canberra, School of Nursing, was selected to meet with President and Mrs. Clinton when they were in Australia. She was selected because of her noteworthy research on Quality of Life in women with breast cancer. You will have an opportunity this term to discuss quality of life research with Dr. Reaby.

As part of her public service activities to raise awareness about breast cancer in Australia, Reaby initiated Australia's Breast Cancer Awareness Day in 1994. This event was initiated at the beautiful Sydney Opera House by the Prime Minister's wife. It is now an annual event with a beautiful stamp of commemoration. She talks to school children and civic groups about breast cancer, publishes research articles and organizes conferences on the topic.

Reaby, who teaches nursing courses at the University of Canberra, said President Clinton shook her hand and told her to keep up the good work. "Mrs. Clinton told me she was very interested in the work I was doing, and that if she could be of any assistance to me please let her know. I gave her my card and said she would probably be hearing from me."

"I'm trying to get across to women that if they find their breast cancers early, they probably don't have to lose their breast and they have a 90 percent chance of survival," Reaby said.

In 1997, Reaby received the Medal of the Order of Australia, that country's highest honor. She also was one of six persons named Australia Achievers of the Year, and she was named Woman of the Year by the Office of the Status of Women.

Dr. Reaby was selected to carry the Olympic Torch in the Summer Games

Dr. Reaby is a native of Kansas City, who graduated from the University of Kansas Nurse Medical Center Anesthetic program. She moved to Australia in 1980 where she received her masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Canberra. Her masters research was on educating nurses for advance practice skills of physical assessment. Her doctoral dissertation was on quality of life, body image and decision-making regarding treatment.

She has a lovely family including Thomas, her 17 year old son (next to Mrs. Clinton in the photograph above).

Linda Reaby is in the news