NAC appoints Debbie Rigby as new Clinical Executive Lead

The National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) has welcomed advanced practice pharmacist Debbie Rigby to the newly created role of Clinical Executive Lead.

Rigby has over 40 years’ experience across clinical pharmacy practice, interdisciplinary care, policy and advocacy, clinical governance, guidelines development and education. She also has extensive experience in supporting the National Asthma Council Australia in the past, as well as other organisations such as the International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG). She was a Director of NPS MedicineWise for 12 years.

Rhonda Cleveland, CEO of the National Asthma Council Australia, said that Rigby will help the NAC promote best-practice care to people living with asthma and their families.

“Debbie has a specific interest in respiratory conditions and has been credentialed as an asthma educator. She is also passionate about improving the care and support for people living with asthma through multidisciplinary patient-centred care, shared decision-making and evidence-based medicine,” Cleveland said.

Rigby is a member of the Respiratory Pharmacy Taskforce and part of the newly established Leadership Group for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Respiratory Community of Special Interest Group.

“Through postgraduate qualifications and adjunct appointments at three universities, I have significant experience in critical evaluation of the literature and translation of evidence into practice,” Rigby said.

Rigby said that she was looking forward to her new role with the NAC and utilising her knowledge of current and emerging asthma management issues, evidence and guidelines in her work alongside asthma, respiratory and primary care experts.

“I look forward to bringing my experience and ideas to the NAC as we work to reduce the health, social and economic impacts of asthma in the Australian community,” she said.

Image caption: Debbie Rigby. Image: Supplied