Dr Nick Coatsworth

Dr Nick Coatsworth stands as Australia's foremost and widely recognised medical authority and public health communicator. His unmatched depth of experience in the delivery of healthcare extends from frontline roles across four States and Territories to international humanitarian disasters. As a Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Australia during the COVID 19 pandemic, Nick’s calm, clear communication supported the nation through one of its greatest health challenges. Nick’s leadership in medicine has included senior roles in federal and state health departments and public hospitals. He has extensive experience in clinical governance and risk management at all levels of healthcare, implementing a range of quality and safety initiatives during his time at Canberra Health Services.

Dr Coatsworth has a strong interest in global health through his early career work with Medecins Sans Frontieres and Australian Medical Assistance Teams. He regularly lectures on health security at the National Security College and is conducting doctoral research exploring the crisis decision-making in the first 70 days of the pandemic at the Australian National University. Nick is a Fellow of the Royal Australian ColIege of Physicians and is trained in both respiratory and infectious disease medicine. In 2022, the University of Western Australia, his alma mater, awarded him an Honorary Doctorate for his exceptional service to medicine. While maintaining a frontline presence as a clinician and educator at Canberra Hospital, Nick takes pride in being both a dedicated father and a keen hobby farmer.

‍