About
Dr Diane M Sheehan BVSc., MBA., MHlthSec.
Dr Diane M Sheehan BVSc., MBA, MHlthSec., is a veterinary surgeon with more than 25 years experience in the field of small animal clinical practice and biosecurity, including in managerial, policy, scientific and operations areas. Her work has focused primarily on the area of animal health, including invasive species and zoonosis, meaning diseases which can be transmitted from humans to animals.
A desire to move into humanitarian work and global health security saw Dr Sheehan enroll in a Masters in Health Security, which she completed in 2017, succeeding in winning a highly competitive internship with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva. Dr Sheehan brought her qualifications and experience in biosecurity and zoonotic diseases to the role, working in emergency response to the outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in Niger, under the supervision of Dr Jorge Castilla in Emergency Operations (EMO).
A desire to move into humanitarian work and global health security saw Dr Sheehan enroll in a Masters in Health Security, which she completed in 2017, succeeding in winning a highly competitive internship with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva. Dr Sheehan brought her qualifications and experience in biosecurity and zoonotic diseases to the role, working in emergency response to the outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in Niger, under the supervision of Dr Jorge Castilla in Emergency Operations (EMO).
One of her key roles while on the Rift Valley Fever desk was to manage day to day monitoring of the situation, organise meetings, assemble information, report on updates, and make sure the focal point, regional offices, Global Health Cluster and others received up to date information and briefings within tight deadlines.
While at WHO, Dr Sheehan was also able to build on her strategic planning and project management skills, including preparing accurate and timely plans, reports and reviews, implementing operations and programs, and implementing management plans. Dr Sheehan has a detailed knowledge of International Health Regulations (IHR)(2005) and the role the Global Action Plan (GAP) plays in building the capacity of member states to prevent, manage and contain outbreaks of preventable infectious diseases. Dr Sheehan has held the positions of Queensland Division President (1994-1995) and National President (2007-2008) of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), the national professional association of veterinary surgeons in Australia. It was while in these roles that she faced two of her greatest career challenges.
In 1994, as the first female Queensland Division President of the AVA, Dr Sheehan managed the index case of Hendra virus as a disease emergency, an unknown zoonotic disease that was managed as a health emergency. At the time, the source or etiology of the outbreak, and the cause of death of the horses and the trainer Vic Rail was unknown. She remained involved at a biosecurity level with the Hendra virus response from 1994 to 2010.
The second career challenge was to lead, as the AVA National President, the response to the incursion of Equine Influenza (EI) in Australia in 2007-2008. This was the largest emergency response in Australia’s history and brought many challenges in a complex environment. Of particular importance was working with industry and state and federal government departments to enact the strategies of the Emergency Animal Disease Response Strategy and to minimise the impact on the industry. Subsequently Australia was declared EI free.
Dr Sheehan has been a member of the Biosecurity Queensland Ministerial Advisory Council since 2007, dealing with preparedness, monitoring and surveillance planning, disease outbreaks, incursions and infectious outbreaks that impact in the animal, human and environmental sectors. Most recently, as Ambassador for Business Events Sydney (BES), Dr Sheehan has been instrumental in supporting Sydney as the host city for the first Global Health Security Conference to be held in June 2019. In this role Dr Sheehan brings together stakeholders working in global health security to measure progress, determine gaps, and identify new opportunities to enhance national, regional and global health security.
Dr Sheehan holds an MBA, is a member and fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and held the position of President of the Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association from 2000-2001.
Dr Sheehan is now focusing the next stage of her career on health security and emergency operations, using her veterinary, biosecurity and zoonotic training to combat the real and present risks that zoonotic outbreaks can cause for national economics, travel and security. To that, she brings strong strategic planning and analytical skills and a proficiency in policy development.
While at WHO, Dr Sheehan was also able to build on her strategic planning and project management skills, including preparing accurate and timely plans, reports and reviews, implementing operations and programs, and implementing management plans. Dr Sheehan has a detailed knowledge of International Health Regulations (IHR)(2005) and the role the Global Action Plan (GAP) plays in building the capacity of member states to prevent, manage and contain outbreaks of preventable infectious diseases. Dr Sheehan has held the positions of Queensland Division President (1994-1995) and National President (2007-2008) of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), the national professional association of veterinary surgeons in Australia. It was while in these roles that she faced two of her greatest career challenges.
In 1994, as the first female Queensland Division President of the AVA, Dr Sheehan managed the index case of Hendra virus as a disease emergency, an unknown zoonotic disease that was managed as a health emergency. At the time, the source or etiology of the outbreak, and the cause of death of the horses and the trainer Vic Rail was unknown. She remained involved at a biosecurity level with the Hendra virus response from 1994 to 2010.
The second career challenge was to lead, as the AVA National President, the response to the incursion of Equine Influenza (EI) in Australia in 2007-2008. This was the largest emergency response in Australia’s history and brought many challenges in a complex environment. Of particular importance was working with industry and state and federal government departments to enact the strategies of the Emergency Animal Disease Response Strategy and to minimise the impact on the industry. Subsequently Australia was declared EI free.
Dr Sheehan has been a member of the Biosecurity Queensland Ministerial Advisory Council since 2007, dealing with preparedness, monitoring and surveillance planning, disease outbreaks, incursions and infectious outbreaks that impact in the animal, human and environmental sectors. Most recently, as Ambassador for Business Events Sydney (BES), Dr Sheehan has been instrumental in supporting Sydney as the host city for the first Global Health Security Conference to be held in June 2019. In this role Dr Sheehan brings together stakeholders working in global health security to measure progress, determine gaps, and identify new opportunities to enhance national, regional and global health security.
Dr Sheehan holds an MBA, is a member and fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and held the position of President of the Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association from 2000-2001.
Dr Sheehan is now focusing the next stage of her career on health security and emergency operations, using her veterinary, biosecurity and zoonotic training to combat the real and present risks that zoonotic outbreaks can cause for national economics, travel and security. To that, she brings strong strategic planning and analytical skills and a proficiency in policy development.
