MSHS success at 2023 Faculty Awards

It was a fantastic result for the Melbourne School of Health Sciences at the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Staff Excellence Awards Ceremony on 14 December 2023. With 10 award wins across 8 of the 12 award categories, the presentations highlighted the extraordinary staff that deliver outstanding programs of work for student, staff and community benefit. We’re incredibly proud of the award winners and the entire School community.

Global, Place and Community Awards

At the heart of the Global, Place and Community Awards is collaboration, innovation, and nurture for purposeful and meaningful engagement with our students, staff, alumni and partners to achieve outcomes that are for the benefit of our communities.

Award for Indigenous Health and Wellbeing

• Dr Grace Nixon, Dr Kelley Graydon, Associate Professor Anthea Cochrane, Stephanie Weir, Anne-Marie Banfield, Sowmya Rao from the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, Melbourne School of Health Sciences for excellence in advancing knowledges through the development of a “First Nations Yarning Circle.”
• Dr David Gallant and Aunty Lorraine Parsons from the Department of Social Work, Melbourne School of Health Sciences for excellence in work across education, research and collaboration leading to improved outcomes for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

Award for Mentor Excellence

• Dr Rachel Toovey from the Department of Physiotherapy, Melbourne School of Health Sciences for excellence in the mentorship of colleagues across the faculty.

Award for Partnership and Collaboration for Public Benefit

• Dr Christopher Waterworth and Professor Nathan Grills from the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, School of Health Sciences for excellence in enriching academic experiences that cultivate global perspectives in the Master of Clinical Audiology course.

MDHS Education Awards

The MDHS Education Awards recognise outstanding and diverse contributions and achievements to shape the next generation of health professionals.

Award from Program Innovation

• Dr Tandy Hastings-Ison, Dr Tara FitzGerald, Nadine Crane, Dr Martina Tassone, Dr Debra Virtue, Associate Professor Karen Donald, and Associate Professor Fiona Dobson from the Department of Physiotherapy, Melbourne School of Health Sciences for excellence in collaborating across the University to develop partnerships and learning modules for the community-based Paediatric Experiential Placement program.

Award for Sustained Excellence in Learning and Teaching

• Dr Kelley Graydon, Associate Professor Dani Tomlin, Patrick Bowers, Dr Peter Carew, Donella Chisari, Dr Grace Nixon, Associate Professor Bryony Nayagam, Dr Julien Zanin, Dominic Power, Dr Chris Waterworth, Dr Lauren Story, Dr Michelle Todorov, Jocelyn Phillips, Lucy Shiels, Alexandra Walchhueter, Professor Gary Rance and Sarah Swann from the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, Melbourne School of Health Sciences for excellence in developing innovative approaches to learning and teaching in the Master of Clinical Audiology course.

Discovery Awards

The MDHS Discovery Awards recognise outstanding contributions towards the delivery of high-impact research and the building of a world-leading research community

Award for Graduate Researcher Supervision

• Associate Professor Catherine Granger from the Department of Physiotherapy, Melbourne School of Health Sciences for excellence in supervision resulting in graduate researchers receiving high-quality scholarships and grants.

Award for Interdisciplinary Research

• Professor Jeanie Cheong, Professor Katherine Lee, Professor Peter Anderson, Dr Rheanna Mainzer, Associate Professor Rosemarie Boland, Marion McDonald, Dr Joy Olsen, Dr Noni David, Dr Gillian Opie, Professor Kim Dalziel, Lauren Pigdon, Professor Lex Doyle, Associate Professor Gehan Roberts, Dr Julianne Duff, Dr Leah Hickey, Professor Alicia Spittle (Department of Physiotherapy), Dr Elisha Josev, Dr Penelope Stevens and Dr Alice Stewart from the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, Melbourne Medical School for excellence in leading the Victorian Infant Collaborative Study.
• Dr Gemma McKibban, Professor Cathy Humphreys, Professor Lisa Gold, Professor Stuart Ross and Professor Ben Mathews from the Department of Social Work, Melbourne School of Health Sciences for excellence in multidisciplinary team collaboration through DICE (Disrupting Child Sexual Exploitation).

Award for Research Achievement

• Associate Professor Kate Hayward from the Department of Physiotherapy, Melbourne School of Health Sciences for excellence in research to deliver new standards of care for stroke recovery.

This impressive array of awards underscores the commitment of the Melbourne School of Health Sciences to excellence in education, research, and community impact. Congratulations to all the deserving winners.