Kerry Chant

Kerry Gai Chant, , is a public health physician who is the chief health officer of New South Wales, Australia since 2008. She gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic providing regular public health advice for New South Wales, a contribution for which she was named the state's Woman of the Year in March 2021.
Early Life.
Chant grew up in Punchbowl, New South Wales. Chant attended the Danebank Anglican School for Girls graduating in 1980. She worked in retail jobs and a pharmacy before studying medicine. She attended the University of New South Wales where she completed a MB BS in 1987, a Master in Health Administration in 1991 and a Master of Public Health in 1995.
Career.
Chant has been with the New South Wales Health Department since 1991 working in the areas of virus infections, communicable diseases prevention and control and Indigenous health. She is currently the Deputy Secretary, Population and Public Health and Chief Health Officer. Prior to this, Dr Chant was Director, Health Protection and Deputy Chief Health Officer. In 2013, Chant was threatened for advocating fluoridation of the water supply in the City of Lismore.
Awards.
In 2021 Chant was awarded NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year, as well as the Woman of Excellence Award.