The Kerrin Rennie Award for Excellence in Medical Technology – Improving Quality of Life was established to recognise and profile the innovative and extraordinary contribution of medical technology in improving health outcomes of Australian patients.

The Award was inaugurated in 2007 and is endowed by the Rennie family in memory of Kerrin; a long serving and highly respected member of the Australian medical technology community.

Kerrin Rennie (formerly Kerrin McKenna) was the Managing Director of ConvaTec, a member company of Medical Industry Association of Australia (now MTAA). Kerrin was elected to the Board of MIAA in 1996, becoming its first female member. She was an active and enthusiastic member of the Board and an advocate for greater involvement of women at senior levels in the industry. In that capacity, Kerrin was instrumental in the recruitment to the Board of Maureen McKenzie (Coloplast), who became the Association’s first female Chair.

Kerrin was appointed Honorary Treasurer in 1996 and served two terms in that office, retiring from the Board in 1999. She was an active member of several MIAA committees, including the Stoma Appliance and Wound Care Special Interest Groups. A trained nurse, Kerrin never lost sight of the central mission of our industry, that of caring for patients. She was a passionate advocate for the contribution of medical technology in extending life and improving quality of life.

Entry is open to all medical technology companies based or represented in Australia. A company may enter a product launched in Australia within the past two years used in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment or management of disease and disability. The product must demonstrate evidence of significant contribution to improving patient outcomes by enhancing quality of life, technical excellence and innovation.

Medical technology saves and improves lives by detecting diseases earlier and by providing more effective treatment options for patients and the healthcare system.