Vinay Lakra
Divisional Director of Mental Health Services at Northern Health
Associate Professor Vinay Lakra is the Divisional Director of Mental Health Services at Northern Health, Melbourne. Prior to this for over 10 years, he was a Clinical Director at North Western Mental Health, The Royal Melbourne Hospital. He is a member of the Victorian Board of the Medical Board of Australia. He also served as the Deputy Chief Psychiatrist of Victoria for three years during 2016–19.
He was the President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) from May 2021 to May 2023. He continues to hold committee positions in World Psychiatric Association and the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations.
Associate Professor Lakra graduated in medicine from JN Medical College, India in 1999 and then completed his MD in psychiatry from Central Institute of Psychiatry, India in 2002 before moving to Australia in 2004. He is also a Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, has a Masters in Health Management from University of New South Wales and is a Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors.
His interest and expertise includes leadership and management; clinical governance systems; patient safety and quality; workforce management including assessment and training standards for doctors; and supervision and mentoring of junior doctors and early career psychiatrists. He also continues to be involved in clinical practice in general psychiatry with a special interest in physical health of people with mental illnesses.
He has been recognised for his contributions with several awards including a Fellowship of Academy of Medicine, Singapore; an International Distinguished Fellowship of American Psychiatric Association and a Honorary Fellowship of World Association of Social Psychiatry.
He was the President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) from May 2021 to May 2023. He continues to hold committee positions in World Psychiatric Association and the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations.
Associate Professor Lakra graduated in medicine from JN Medical College, India in 1999 and then completed his MD in psychiatry from Central Institute of Psychiatry, India in 2002 before moving to Australia in 2004. He is also a Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, has a Masters in Health Management from University of New South Wales and is a Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors.
His interest and expertise includes leadership and management; clinical governance systems; patient safety and quality; workforce management including assessment and training standards for doctors; and supervision and mentoring of junior doctors and early career psychiatrists. He also continues to be involved in clinical practice in general psychiatry with a special interest in physical health of people with mental illnesses.
He has been recognised for his contributions with several awards including a Fellowship of Academy of Medicine, Singapore; an International Distinguished Fellowship of American Psychiatric Association and a Honorary Fellowship of World Association of Social Psychiatry.
