A descendant of the Wonnarua Nation in New South Wales, Lesley Salem is currently working in private practice as a generalist and chronic disease Nurse Practitioner.
Her nursing is dedicated to improving the health of those with chronic disease in rural and remote Australian communities and inspired by her dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and those with socioeconomic disadvantages.
Over 20 years ago, she became Australia’s first Indigenous Nurse Practitioner and in 2022, she was awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to nursing and to Indigenous health.