NHMRC Investigator grant success
Congratulations to three of our Maridulu Budyari Gumal Nursing and Midwifery Implementation Science Academy members, Professor Sandy Middleton, Dr Caleb Ferguson, and Dr Christine Catling who were all awarded National Health and Medical Research Council Investigator Grants. On 20th May, the Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, announced the outcomes of the 2020 NHMRC Investigator Grants that were established by the Federal Government to support research programs of outstanding investigators at all career stages. With only 13% of applicants successful this year, the scheme provides funding over five-years commencing in 2021.
Wishing them all great success over the next five years!
Professor Sandy Middleton, Director of the Nursing Research Institute, a joint initiative of St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne & Australian Catholic University; and Director of the Maridulu Budyari Gumal Nursing and Midwifery Implementation Science Academy was awarded $1.35M over 5 years for her application, ‘Transforming acute hospital care to improve outcomes for stroke’. Professor Middleton will build on her current program of stroke research which, to date, has resulted in changes to health policy, health system cost savings, and improved patient outcomes and has attracted strong interest and engagement nationally and internationally.
Dr Caleb Ferguson, Senior Research Fellow at the Western Sydney Nursing & Midwifery Research Centre, Western Sydney University & Western Sydney Local Health District; and Deputy Director of the Maridulu Budyari Gumal Nursing and Midwifery Implementation Science Academy was awarded $606K over 5 years for his application, ‘INFORM-AF: a randomised controlled trial to assess the efficacy of a digital education program for atrial fibrillation (AF)’. Dr Ferguson will build on his work around AF educational intervention development that engages AF patients, families, clinicians and key stakeholders. The aims of this program are to reduce risk, improve quality of life and reduce hospitalisation in people living with AF.
Dr Christine Catling, Senior Lecturer and Director of Midwifery Studies at University of Technology Sydney; and Lead Maternal, Newborn & Women's Maridulu Budyari Gumal Clinical Academic Group was awarded $645K over 5 years for her midwifery application ‘Advancing the midwifery workforce in Sydney, Australia’. Dr Catling will build on her postdoctoral work in maternity health services research (including the development of the Australian Midwifery Workplace Culture [AMWoC] survey tool). The aim of this program is to enhance workplace culture within maternity units - to improve safety, quality of care, and also stem the attrition of midwives.
Professor Sandy Middleton
Dr Caleb Ferguson
Dr Christine Catling
