S P E C I A L I S T U P D A T E M A C Q U A R I E U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I T A L | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

I’d like to thank you all for your continued support over the past year.

In this brief, and final edition of our Specialist Newsletter for 2014, we’ve focused on a number of cancer related initiatives, including the launch of the Lymphoedema Action Alliance, as well as donations to melanoma research and the Movember Foundation.

We also cover the portrait unveiling of Professor Michael Morgan AO, Professor of Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery and Inaugural Dean of the Australian School of Advanced Medicine. The event took place on Wednesday 26 November at a cocktail function in the hospital foyer. The evening provided us with the opportunity to recognise the extraordinary contribution Professor Morgan has made to our institution.

He is widely known as the founding father of Macquarie University Hospital. Professor Morgan had the initial vision for this facility: a nexus where advanced technology, research, training programs and comprehensive services could be brought together to deliver an unparalleled service.

As well as recognising the enormous contribution he has made to Macquarie, there was significant focus on his contribution to medicine, teaching and of course the countless patients he has treated. Next time you are on campus, I encourage you to come down to the hospital foyer so you can see this extraordinary work by artist Sally Ryan.

We’ve also included below a reminder about our Christmas party that will be held this Friday 5 December. If you have not yet had the opportunity to RSVP and would still like to attend please email events@muh.org.au. It is sure to be a marvellous evening!

Finally, in the event I don’t see you prior to the Christmas and New year break, I’d like to wish you and your family a wonderful and safe holiday season and I look forward to working with you again in 2015.

Carol BryantCEO

WELCOME FROM CAROL BRYANT

NEWLY ACCREDITED SPECIALISTS

S P E C I A L I S T U P D A T E M A C Q U A R I E U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I T A L

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IMPORTANT INFORMATIONFOR THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD

The hospital will continue to operate over the Christmas and New Year period with the following changes.

Theatre, Angiography and Day Oncology will be operational over the Christmas period, however there will be no elective lists on Public Holidays i.e. 25, 26 and 29 December 2014 and 1 January 2015.

Ward 1 and Ward 2 will remain open over the Christmas period. Ward 3 and Ward 4 will be closed for the holiday period from Wednesday, 24 December 2014 through to Sunday 4 January 2015 (inclusive) although these dates may extend dependent on patient need.

All CCU patients will be located in ICU as per the previously communicated change.

Endoscopy and Day Surgery will be closed for the period from Wednesday, 24 December 2014 through to Sunday 11 January 2015 (inclusive). However any procedures required will go through OT and ward.

LAUNCH OF LYMPHOEDEMA ACTION ALLIANCE

On Thursday 15 October the Lymphoedema Action Alliance (LAA) was launched formally in NSW Parliament House by the Honourable Anna Bligh, former Premier of Queensland and hosted by David Elliott MP. They were joined by other MP’s, representatives of all member organisations, therapists, researchers and most importantly consumers. The Lymphoedema Action Alliance is currently a fifteen member organisation and importantly Macquarie University Cancer Institute who are one of the leading research groups into lymphoedema was asked to become a member. Partner membership organisations include the Country Woman’s Association, the Australasian Lymphology Association, Cancer Council NSW and many others. Anna Bligh, now the CEO of YWCA NSW stressed the importance of consumers lobbying their members of parliament to gain more resources for patients with primary and secondary lymphoedema who are suffering from this condition with very little rebates from Government.

The Alliance is working to reduce the unnecessary suffering of people who have lymphoedema, by ensuring timely access to affordable lymphoedema services and compression garments regardless of where people live, their financial status and their health situation. The two most important initiatives for the LAA is to improve rebates for compression sleeves and to increase the number of trained lymphoedema therapists available in public hospitals.

Macquarie University was represented by Prof John Boyages, Mrs Louise Koelmeyer and Dr Helen Mackie (the former President of the Australasian Lymphology Association).

David Elliott spoke of all the “tough stuff” that he has done in his life but mentioned that nothing was as tough as telling his children that his wife had breast cancer. Nicole Elliott developed lymphoedema after treatment and is a patient of Louise Koelmeyer.

Professor John Boyages

NEWLY ACCREDITED SPECIALISTS

Carol Bryant, Ceo, Macquarie University Hospital invites you and a guest to

C A S A B L A N C AMacquarie University Hospital Doctors Christmas Party

A NIGHT AT

Friday 5 December 2014 • 7pm-11pmLakeside Atrium Marquee, C10A, Campus Hub Building

Gymnasium Rd, Macquarie UniversityDress: Black & White Formal

R S V P Friday 28 Nov 2014

to events@muh.org.au

DONATION KICK STARTS MELANOMA RESEARCH AT MACQUARIEAs Macquarie University expands its cancer genetics research program, a generous donation of $100,000 from the Melanoma Institute of Australia has helped to purchase a dedicated flow cytometer for medical research. Demand for the cell-analysis equipment increased after the appointment of two of Australia’s leading melanoma experts, Professor Helen Rizos and Professor Richard Kefford, earlier in 2014. The duo, who have partnered together in breakthrough research for over 20 years - moved their laboratories from the Westmead Millennium Institute to the Australian School of Advanced Medicine. “With the MiA headquarters just down the road from Macquarie’s campus, Helen and I see very novel and fruitful collaborations here that we were unable to do elsewhere,” said Kefford. “It’s exciting to be so close to

the MiA, with the world’s largest melanoma treatment centre and the largest melanoma biospecimens resource too.”When it became clear that the University’s existing cytometers would not have the capacity for the new teams, Rizos and Associate Professor Brendan McMorran, a genetics and infectious diseases expert, launched a bid to source another machine. Funding from a Macquarie University Strategic Infrastructure Scheme grant also supported the instrument purchase.

Both Rizos and Kefford have received over $10 million in NHMRC research funding since 2010 and have co-authored over 40 publications.

Source: Macquarie University Media Release (extract)

S P E C I A L I S T U P D A T E M A C Q U A R I E U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I T A L

NEWLY ACCREDITED SPECIALISTS

S P E C I A L I S T U P D A T E M A C Q U A R I E U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I T A L

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MOVEMBER AT MUH

After a razor-free month, a team of amazing mo-bros from Macquarie University Hospital raised more than $3800 for the Movember Foundation.

These mighty fine moustaches were shorn off at the Movember Barber Shop BBQ on Friday 28 November, where an additional $1300 was raised.

Movember is the leading global organisation committed to changing the face of men’s health. The Movember community has raised $580 million to date and funded over 800 programs in 21 countries. This work is saving and improving the lives of men affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems.

Movember challenges men to grow moustaches during November to spark conversation and

raise vital funds for its men’s health programs. To date, 4 million moustaches have been grown worldwide!

Special thanks should be extended to Ken Gomez, Ravi Sharma, Sergio Duque, Joe Grech, Stephen Grover and Brad Gannnon for getting behind this initiative and helping MUH and its partner organisations raise over $5000.

Cocktail Function and Portrait Unveiling of Professor Michael Morgan AO, Professor of Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery and Inaugural Dean of the Australian School of Advanced Medicine

“Macquarie University and Macquarie University Hospital owe a debt of great gratitude to Professor Michael Morgan AO. The inception of the idea of the medical and healthcare enterprise we now have at Macquarie University was founded in Michael’s creative drive, determination to succeed and above all else, his deep and abiding commitment to the very best of clinical care for patients with complex illnesses. It is a very fitting tribute that today we are unveiling Michael’s portrait not only as a work of art but also as a perpetual reminder of where it all began,” Professor Bruce Dowton, Vice-Chancellor, Macquarie University.

Professor Michael Morgan AO unveiled his 2011 portrait by Sally Ryan, temporarily on loan to Macquarie University Hospital and now on display in the building’s ground floor. Photo: Isabella Lettini.