Dr Linny Kimly Phuong

Dr Linny Kimly Phuong is a respected paediatric infectious diseases physician, researcher, public health communicator, and community advocate.

She has dedicated her career to improving health access and outcomes for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Victoria and beyond.

Linny was born to refugee parents from South Vietnam. She draws on her personal and professional experiences to champion culturally safe and inclusive healthcare.

She has delivered life-saving care to children with complex infections across The Royal Children’s Hospital, Cabrini Health, and Epworth Health.

Her research has informed clinical guidelines for the early detection of immune disorders in children with infections.

In 2011, Linny founded The Water Well Project, a volunteer-led charity providing free, culturally tailored health education to communities from migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, reaching more than 30,000 people. It has won multiple awards, including a Victorian Public Healthcare Award for Excellence in Culturally Diverse Care.

Linny also plays a prominent role in public health advocacy. She appears on ABC News Breakfast TV and uses social media to combat misinformation and share inclusive, accurate health information.

She contributes to national and international policy through her service on advisory committees focused on infectious diseases, equity, and maternal-child health.

Linny’s leadership is grounded in compassion, justice, and integrity. She mentors young clinicians, teaches medical students, and advocates for gender equality and cultural diversity in the health sector.

Linny’s impact is both profound and far-reaching. Reshaping not just the delivery of healthcare, but also who feels seen, heard, and cared for within the system.