Professional Summary: Professor Judith Finn
Professor Judith Finn is a distinguished academic and researcher affiliated with the University of Western Australia (UWA). With a career spanning clinical practice, research, and education, she has made significant contributions to the fields of emergency medicine, resuscitation science, and pre-hospital care. Her work is widely recognized for its impact on improving outcomes in cardiac arrest and emergency health systems.
Academic Background and Degrees
Professor Finn holds advanced qualifications in nursing and public health, reflecting her multidisciplinary expertise:
- PhD in Public Health/Epidemiology, focusing on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
- Registered Nurse (RN) with critical care certifications
Research Specializations and Academic Interests
Judith Finn's research primarily focuses on improving survival rates and outcomes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Her academic interests include:
- Resuscitation science and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) practices
- Emergency medical services (EMS) systems and pre-hospital care
- Epidemiology of cardiac arrest and public health interventions
- Health services research and evidence-based clinical guidelines
Career History and Appointments
Professor Finn has held numerous prestigious positions across academic and clinical domains:
- Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Western Australia
- Director of the Prehospital, Resuscitation and Emergency Care Research Unit (PRECRU), Curtin University (previously)
- Adjunct Research Professor at Monash University, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
- Clinical background as a critical care nurse with extensive experience in intensive care and coronary care units
Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors
Her contributions to resuscitation science and emergency care have been recognized through several accolades:
- Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (FAHMS)
- Recipient of the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) Medal for outstanding contributions to resuscitation
- Multiple research grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia
Key Publications
Professor Finn has authored or co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications. Some notable works include:
- Finn, J., et al. (2015). 'Effect of Public Access Defibrillation on Survival Outcomes for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest' - Published in Circulation
- Finn, J., et al. (2017). 'Improving Survival from Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Call to Action' - Published in Resuscitation
- Bray, J.E., Finn, J., et al. (2018). 'Bystander CPR and Long-Term Outcomes in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest' - Published in New England Journal of Medicine
- Finn, J., et al. (2020). 'Epidemiology of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Australia' - Published in Heart, Lung and Circulation
Influence and Impact on Academic Field
Professor Finn's research has had a profound impact on global resuscitation guidelines and policies. Her work on the epidemiology of cardiac arrest and the effectiveness of bystander CPR and public access defibrillation has informed public health strategies and clinical practices worldwide. She has contributed to the development of evidence-based protocols for emergency medical services, significantly influencing survival rates for OHCA. Her leadership in establishing research networks, such as the Australian Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (Aus-ROC), has fostered collaborative research efforts across the region.
Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions
Judith Finn is actively involved in academic and professional communities:
- Regular keynote speaker at international conferences on resuscitation and emergency medicine, including the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) meetings
- Member of the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and contributor to national resuscitation guidelines
- Editorial board member for leading journals such as Resuscitation
- Chair and member of various research and policy committees focused on emergency care and public health