Professor Sally CHAN is a world-renowned nursing professional in the mental health nursing community at local, national, and international level.  Originally from Hong Kong.  Prof. CHAN started her career as a registered nurse (psychiatric) and then further her studies abroad.  She received her Bachelor of Health Science from the Charles Sturt University, Master of Science in Nursing and Health Studies from the university of Edinburgh, and Doctor of Philosophy from the Oxford Brookes University.

Her extensive experience in research focuses on mental health, psychosocial interventions, and family interventions.  Supported by more than 100 funded studies (more than Aus$10 millions), more than 400 publications in international healthcare journals and international presentations, Prof. CHAN has developed and sustained international inter-institutional partnerships.  The results of her sustained research agenda and scholarship have made a recognized impact on mental healthcare practice, education, and policy in the Region and globally.  She has been named by the Journal of Advanced Nursing (JAN) as the top 10 Australia and New Zealand Professors with the highest education-focused citations (Jan 2018 https://doi.org/10.111/jan_13698).  She is on the list (154^th of 746 in Nursing) of the World’s Top 2% Scientists (2020).  Release by the Stanford University (https:/Inkd.in/gw3Y8JJ).  Prof. CHAN demonstrates excellent contributions to nursing profession related to mental health nursing practice, research and education that led to improvement in mental health nursing practice, and health of the community and the public.

Prof. CHAN has served on the editorial and advisory board of many renowned journals.  She was a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) to the Primary Care Consultation group for Revision of ICD-10 Mental and Behavioral Disorder.  She was also a member of the Council of Deans of Nursing & Midwifery, Australia & New Zealand when she worked in Australia.  Her leadership is evident in her former appointment as chair of the East Asian Forum of Nursing Scholars (EAFONS); member of the Expert Group on Mental Health Services by the Hong Kong SAR Government; and the National Nursing Task Force by the Singapore Government.  She had served as a member of the Nursing Council of Hong Kong.  Through her leadership roles in multiple professional organizations, she exerted significant influence on the expanding nursing capacity in Southeast Asia.

Prof. CHAN has served in many professional organizations.  She was the President of Upsilon Eta Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International Honors Society of Nursing.  She was the convenor of the East Asian Forum of Nursing Scholars; Co-Chair, Nurses Professional Discipline forum, International Psychogeriatric Association; and advisor of the Singapore National University Hospital Centre for Evidence-based nursing: A Collaborating Centre of the Joanna Briggs Institute.  Prof. CHAN has also a prominent member of the Executive Committee of Singapore Nursing Association and the Hong Kong Society of Nursing Education.   

Prof. CHAN has rich management experience in tertiary institutions.  During her terms of service as the Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC) of the university of Newcastle Singapore Campus (UON Singapore), she successfully led the university to achieve prudent growths in student population and financial capacity.  Prior to that, she was the Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery of UON in Australia from 2014 to 2019, and she led the School to attain a worldwide ranking of top 47 in Nursing (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019).  The School’s research was ranked well above the world standard and obtained the highest score of 5 in Excellence in Research for Australia for consecutive terms in 2015 and 2018.  In 2016, she obtained the UON Vice-Chancellor’s Award for International Engagement, and the UON Faculty of Health and Medicine International Award as a recognition of her achievement in building international relationship for the University.

Prof. CHAN has been honored for her significant and sustained contribution to nursing which improved the nursing professional and the people it serves.  In 2013, she has been awarded the “International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame” by the Sigma Theta Tau International Honors Society of Nursing.  She was also inducted into the Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 2013.