December 2022

Nicole Gallacher Christmas Miracle Reunion

23 December 2022 - On Friday 23 December, Austin Health facilitated a reunion between former patient Nicole Gallacher, her husband Dave and medical staff. Nicole and Dave have just welcomed a little baby boy into the world. Aptly named Angus Michael Andrew Gallacher. Angus after Associate Professor Augusto (Gus) Gonzalvo who was the Austin Health neurosurgeon that saved her life, Michael after the paramedic that brought her in and Andrew after Associate Professor Andrew Hilton the former Deputy Director of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Austin Health.

‘Sex absolutely matters’: How gender affects your chance of survival in ICU

16 December 2022 - The findings of the world-first study involving almost 1.5 million Australian and New Zealand ICU patients shocked the researchers, who set out to examine how sex and gender may influence a person’s chance of survival.

International Volunteer Day: Meet Mary

5 December 2022 - If you’ve visited Austin Health recently you would have likely spoken to our volunteers, from guide services and pet therapy, to ward support and even a friendly face to welcome you through the front doors. On International Volunteer Day, we wanted to celebrate the integral part volunteers play.

Meet Jodie, a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist at Austin Health

3 December 2022 - International Day of People with a Disability is recognised each year on 3 December and celebrates individuals of all abilities and challenges societal perceptions around disability with the aim of increasing public awareness and understanding.

November 2022

Psychology Week: How Dr Groves helped Mallacoota residents cope with disaster

30 November 2022 - It's Psychology Week and we are celebrating the work psychologist do to help individuals and communities thrive.

Austin Health leads the way in research

23 November 2022 - Austin Health continues to lead the way in research with a number of staff recognised for contributions in their field.

Spinal call to arms

22 November 2022 - People who have lost the use of their hands and arms through spinal cord injuries may recover some movement using a device that “re-excites” the nervous system.

Genetic Counselor Awareness Day: Dr Ashley Crook

10 November 2022 - Today is Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day. Genetic counsellors play an important part in people’s healthcare – from helping individuals better understand genetic testing to identifying keys to their family health history.

MR-Linac brings together radiographers and radiation therapists

9 November 2022 - Austin Health is home to the only MRI Linear Accelerator (MR-Linac) in Victoria, and one of four in Australia. As a fully public service, it is designed to provide care for all Victorians who may benefit from this technology.

October 2022

First successful new Alzheimer's disease treatment trial in 20 years

17 October 2022 - Austin Health has been the national lead site for the first successful Alzheimer's disease treatment trial in 20 years, with results showing reduction in cognitive decline by twenty-seven per cent compared with placebo.

Staff Spotlight: Get to know Alison Knuckey

14 October 2022 - In recognition of Allied Health Professions Day and Amputee Awareness Week, we wanted to shine a line on the wonderful Allied Health Professionals that work with our patients every day.

Dr Zairullah Mighfaza visiting from Indonesia

13 October 2022 - Dr Zairullah Mighfaza, known as Dr Faza, is visiting Austin Health from Indonesia, as an Honorary Clinical Observer in our renal Ward 7 North.

Olivia's Walk for Wellness a huge success

12 October 2022 - Last Sunday, 9 October, was a special day for Austin Health as thousands of people came together for Olivia’s Walk for Wellness, raising funds to provide wellness therapies at the ONJ Centre. 

Preparing for thunderstorm asthma season

6 October 2022 - Spring is here, and this favourite season often brings thunderstorms and pollen in the air. During grass pollen season, from October through to December, people may notice an increase in asthma and hay fever. 

September 2022

Spotlight on osteoarthritis for World Physiotherapy Day

8 September 2022 - We are celebrating World Physiotherapy Day this week. The theme for the year is osteoarthritis and the role of physiotherapists in preventing and managing this condition.

August 2022

Olivia’s Walk for Wellness launch

25 August 2022 - Yesterday we were honoured to host Tottie Goldsmith, Olivia Newton-John’s niece, for the launch of Olivia’s Walk for Wellness for 2022 through a series of live crosses with Mel and Kochie from Sunrise.

Volunteer guides return to Austin Health

23 August 2022 - Our volunteer guides returned to Austin Hospital for the first time this week, following an extended pause to the service due to COVID-19.

New Austin Health clinic supporting patients with long COVID

18 August 2022 - Austin Health has established a multidisciplinary clinic supporting people with post-acute COVID-19 or long COVID.

Disability Action Plan consultation: Have your say

17 August 2022 - We have started work on our new Disability Action Plan for 2022 to 2025.

Dame Olivia Newton-John

8 August 2022 - We are deeply saddened to learn that Dame Olivia Newton-John has passed away overnight.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day

4 August 2022 - National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (Children’s Day) is celebrated across the country on the 4 August every year.

July 2022

World Hepatitis Day

28 July 2022 - On July 28 each year, World Hepatitis Day brings the world together to raise awareness of viral hepatitis and to influence real change.

Updated visitor policy effective from 20 July 2022

19 July 2022 - With the increasing cases of COVID-19 in the community, we are making further changes to our visitor policy to help reduce the risk to our patients and staff.

Three research giants honoured by Austin Health

15 July 2022 - Austin Health has honoured three giants of neurology with the naming of the Bladin Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy Program and the Bladin Donnan Acute Stroke Unit.

Extending the lessons of NAIDOC throughout the year: 5 East staff share their commitment

13 July 2022 - Our staff in 5 East are committed to providing culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and changing things up to support reconciliation. 

Austin Health featured on Four Corners episode

7 July 2022 - Dr Norman Swan and the ABC Four Corners team visited Austin Health recently, filming an episode on Alzheimer’s disease titled "Holding on to Hope”.

Congratulations to Austin Health’s Professor Rinaldo Bellomo

5 July 2022 - Congratulations to Austin Health’s Professor Rinaldo Bellomo who received an honorary doctorate from the University of Helsinki to acknowledging his contribution to intensive care research.

June 2022

Celebrating Pride Month at Austin Health

7 June 2022 - As we celebrate Pride Month this June, we’ve spoken to some of our staff about what Pride means to them.

Power supply to the Austin Hospital

2 June 2022 - Austin Health would like to reassure patients and the community that there is no risk to power supply at the Austin Hospital.

May 2022

Research shows the benefits of MS nursing care

31 May 2022 - Austin Health celebrated World MS Day on May 30. This was an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for better services, celebrate support networks and champion self-care.

Austin registrar shares her amazing story after winning AMA award

25 May 2022 - Austin Health registrar, Dr Jasmina Kevric, was awarded the prestigious Australian Medical Association Victoria Junior Doctor of the Year Award recently. 

Strategic Plan consultation: Have your say

24 May 2022 - We have started work on our new Strategic Plan for 2023 to 2027. The plan will define our vision for the future, describe our goals for the next five years and outline what we will do to achieve these goals.

David tells us about volunteering this National Volunteer Week

20 May 2022 - This week is National Volunteer Week 2022 – a chance to celebrate the many dedicated volunteers we’re so lucky to have at Austin Health. Every one of our volunteers who give their time has their own story but Royal Talbot volunteer, David Hunt, has a very unique connection.

Have you or a carer had a recent experience with Austin Health?

19 May 2022 - We're seeking lived experience representatives to join our Community Advisory Committee.

Today is IDAHOBIT

17 May 2022 - Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) - a day for celebrating the achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer and other sexuality and gender diverse people (LGBTQIA+).  

Meet medical intern Dr Zoe Williams

9 May 2022 - Zoe is a proud Darug Boorooberongal woman, from the Western Sydney area and is also a descendant of the Butchulla tribe of Fraser Island. Zoe commenced as a medical intern at Austin Health earlier this year.

Caring for asthma patients this World Asthma Day

3 May 2022 - Today is World Asthma Day and we asked Asthma Nurse, Karen Lamb, to share with us a bit about her role and how she works with patients to manage their asthma.

April 2022

Bringing our Reconciliation Action Plan to life

28 April 2022 - We launched our second Reconciliation Action Plan – our Innovate RAP – in a special online event featuring some auspicious guests.

ANZAC Day service returns to the Repat

22 April 2022 - For the first time since 2019, the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital welcomed more than 100 people to our annual ANZAC Day ceremony today.

Dr Corrie Young rediscovers herself through art therapy

21 April 2022 - Following a brain injury which shattered her sense of identity, and later a cancer diagnosis that exacerbated her loss of self, Corrie turned to art to regain her independence, and reconnect with herself.

Hot Cross Buns bring Delight this Easter!

12 April 2022 - An apple a day might keep the doctor away but 18,000 hot cross buns are helping to make the staff at Austin Health very happy this Easter!

March 2022

Caring for the carers in Mental Health!

30 March 2022 - Our Mental Health team is the latest department to roll out Wellness Trolleys to support staff as they continue to deal with the challenges dealt by COVID.

Professor Jonathan Cebon honoured at ResearchFest

24 March 2022 - This year ResearchFest - Austin Health's celebration of current and emerging research - celebrated some of our outstanding researchers.

Dr Kate Martin receives Gordon Trinca Medal

22 Mar 2022 - Congratulations to Dr Kate Martin, General and Trauma Surgeon, who has recently been awarded the 2022 Gordon Trinca Medal by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in recognition of her contribution to trauma care and education.

New MR-Linac radiation therapy machine a win for patients

11 March 2022 - A new, state-of-the-art radiation therapy machine – the MR-Linac – is improving patient outcomes at the ONJ Cancer Centre.

Our Inspirational Women for 2022

8 March 2022 - Congratulations to our six Inspirational Women award recipients for 2022. These women inspire our people and our community daily and it is a privilege to have them among us at Austin Health.

Patients, Premier and Minister for Health visit site of new facility

2 March 2022 - Chief Executive Officer, Adam Horsburgh, and Divisional Director, Mental Health, Hannah Bloom were joined by the Premier and the Minister for Mental Health for a visit to the site of the new Statewide Child and Family Centre in Macleod today.

Get moving today!

1 March 2022 - "The dominant theme of older patients - one of the things they fear the most is the loss of their independence," said Associate Professor Michael Murray, Medical Director of Continuing Care and Head of Geriatric Medicine at Austin Health.

February 2022

Heart Health Month highlights research of cardiology department

28 Feb 2022 - Cardiac research has long been a focus of Austin Health, this Heart Health Month we’d like to tell you about some exciting research we’re undertaking.

Goulburn Valley Health pathology services to transition to Austin Health Pathology

25 Feb 2022 - Austin Health Pathology is now providing pathology services to the community at Goulburn Valley Health sites.

How much can be done in a year?

24 Feb 2022 - The saying tells us that the days drag on and the years fly by, but 12 months during a global pandemic is something else! It’s just ticked over one year since the first patient received their COVID vaccination at Austin Health’s ONJ Centre clinic on 22 February 2021.

Indigenous artwork enhances patient experience at the Olivia Newton-John Centre

21 Feb 2022 - We’re thrilled to share some artwork with you that our friends at Indigi-Print have just finished installing at the ONJ Radiation Oncology rooms.

Looking after our hearts this Valentine’s Day

14 February 2022 - What better day to draw attention to heart health than Valentine’s Day? Austin Health’s Director of Cardiology, A/Prof Omar Farouque, is a specialist in mending broken hearts.

Almost $400k to strengthen research at Austin Health

2 February 2022 - Our next round of scientific investigation has been given a boost at Austin Health, with the 2022 Austin Health Medical Research Foundation (AMRF) Grants. 

January 2022

Dr Mehrdad Nikfarjam receives a Medal for the Order of Australia

31 January 2022 - Congratulations to Dr Mehrdad Nikfarjam from our surgical team, who received a Medal for the Order of Australia on 26 January.

Get your booster at our reopened La Trobe vaccination clinic

21 Jan 2022 - Austin Health has expanded its vaccination capacity, and is now offering jabs for the community at our re-opened La Trobe vaccination clinic. 

Head of diabetes champions new national research centre

21 Jan 2022 - A new national research centre funded with $23.3 million over the next four years aims to improve the lives of people living with diabetes.

First child vaccinations administered at the Repat

11 January 2022 - Our child vaccination clinic opened at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.