Edith de Boer is the HR Director for Zimmer Biomet in Australia and New Zealand. Her career originally was in telecommunications and consulting in Europe. After leaving The Netherlands, Edith worked into the Australian medical research industry, before moving into a human resources role at Zimmer Biomet. Edith spoke to Australian Health Journal about her role and the organisation.
Promoting medical technology as an industry is important for Zimmer Biomet. The organisation runs a program called “Your future in STEM” helping girls at high school children consider STEM as a career, through to career professionals in the “Women-Inspired Network” or WIN as it’s commonly referred to. In clinical professions, the Zimmer Biomet “Women in Orthopaedics” program for female surgeons, acts in an advocate and support role.
Collaboration and work mindset of one team is very important for the organisation, as well as employees having a sense of belonging and being included. So whilst, talent can be difficult to find in the current market, Zimmer Biomet staff are together taking a journey of change that’s occurring across the industry.
Upbeat Edith’s energy is refreshing! Anyone looking to enter the medical technology industry and specifically the humans resources role can make a difference to people’s lives. Her advice? Be creative, work hard and have a growth mindset.
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Medical research institutes association responds to draft national research strategy
On 27 August 2025, the Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing announced the release of the draft National Health and Medical Research Strategy (the National Strategy).
Involved in the initial consultation phase, was the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI), the peak body for medical research institutes across Australia. Member institutes work on a broad spectrum of human health issues such as preventive health, chronic disease, mental health, immunology and Indigenous health. Their research ranges from fundamental biomedical discovery through to clinical research and the translation of research findings.
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Global collaboration in pulmonary fibrosis research
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. The debilitating and fatal disease ended the life of an Australian man 8 years ago.
His son led philanthropic efforts to establish the connection between 2 Australian organisations; Lung Foundation Australia and Centre for Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis and the US based, Three Lakes Foundation. The three organisations recently announced a collaboration to create a global network for PF research.
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Prioritising Oral Health in Aged Care and Disability Support
Leonie Short is a Dental Practitioner and Dental Therapist. She started working as a dental therapist in Rural NSW and then moved into being an academic and researcher. Through her career, Leonie has worked at 6 universities across New South Wales and Queensland, and remaining community focused.
Leonie’s mission is to have improved oral health experiences and outcomes, however she recognises, the health system really needs to work hard to make it happen and for people to understand why it needs to be a priority.
