Dr Lucas de Toca is Australia’s Ambassador for Global Health. In addition, he leads the Global Health Division (GHD) as First Assistant Secretary, and heads the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He is also a medical doctor, public health expert and Adjunct Professor at the University of New South Wales and Honorary Professor at the Australian National University.
Lucas leads a dedicated team that manage Australia’s regional and global investments in health, including the new $620 million Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative.
Prior to joining DFAT, Lucas led Australia’s National COVID-19 Vaccine Program at the Department of Health and Aged Care, and was heavily involved in many aspects of Australia’s COVID-19 response, including the Primary Care and First Nations responses as well as the response in multicultural and rural communities.
Lucas has a wealth of health sector experience, including previously serving as Chief Health Officer at Miwatj Health, the regional Aboriginal community-controlled health service for East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, and has been a board member of the Northern Territory Clinical Senate, and Northern Territory Aids and Hepatitis Council. He has also held academic positions at the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Flinders University and Harvard University.
Lucas undertook his medical training at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain, with placements at the University of Sydney. He completed further post-graduate training at Harvard University, focusing on health systems and leadership in health and human rights.