Welcome to Health Sciences 2026
The annual Welcome to Health Sciences event saw staff and students come together for an afternoon of fun, connection and learning.
Held on South Lawn, Parkville campus on Friday 27 February, this event is designed to celebrate the beginning of the new academic year, build interdisciplinary connection, and enhance the sense of community across the School.
The event kicked off with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Wurundjeri man Willy Xiberras. He was followed by Head of School Prof Bruce Thompson and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Prof Mike McGuckin who spoke about the importance of interdisciplinary connection between health professions.
Welcome to Health Sciences featured stalls from all six of our disciplines, with interactive activities like learning about CPR, a virtual reality wellbeing session, testing grip strength, communicating without words, trying an eye chart, and looking through an ear camera. Stalls from broader Faculty and University teams also showcased their programs and avalable supports.
This event offered social connection, serving lunch and gelato, playing live music, hosting an appearance by Barry Bear, and supporting relaxed interaction between staff and students outside of the classroom environment.
Thank you to all those who came to participate in our event, including the Collaborative Practice Centre, the Interprofessional Education and Practice Health Students Network, the Sustainability team, the Indigenous Health team, Stop 1, the Teddy Bear Hospital, and the MDHS Student Hub.
Photos by Barreno Studio
