TheMenzies Health Institute Queenslandhas marked its first birthday with a clean bill of health.
The important partnership between Griffith University and the Menzies Foundation has resulted in the first health and medical research institute in Australia dedicated to allied health research and translation.
At the first birthday event at Griffith on the Gold Coast, Foundation Director of the Menzies Health Institute Queensland and newly appointed Pro Vice Chancellor Health at Griffith, Professor Sheena Reilly, drew the analogy between meeting milestones in the first year of a child’s life with that of the new institute.
Her verdict was Menzies HIQ is in good health and heading in the right direction, having done considerable work to make sense of the new environment, change shape, structure and culture, whilst thinking about future development. A strong leadership team is in place with three clear programs of research, reflecting the institute’s research strengths and aligning with national and local health priorities.
Research programs
The research programs are: Building Healthy Communities, Understanding Chronic Conditions and Optimising Health Outcomes.
Professor Reilly acknowledged the role of the Foundation in helping shape the direction for Menzies HIQ and said the focus would continue to be about the translation of research which makes a difference in people’s lives and improves their health and wellbeing.
Menzies HIQ has announced Professor Suzanne Chambers as its new Director. Professor Chambers was the inaugural Menzies Foundation Professor of Allied Health Research and will now oversee the work of the three research streams.
Speaking at the birthday event, Professor Allan Cripps AO, former Pro Vice Chancellor Health, acknowledged the partnership with the Menzies Foundation and the vision of those who had conceived of the idea of the allied health institute.
He also spoke of ‘Brand Menzies,’ saying it was synonymous with excellence in all areas of health and medical research.
Professor Cripps attributed some of the success in the first year — increases across the board in research grant income, research publications, PhD students and philanthropic donations — to the links with the Menzies name.