MRFF grant for new national collaboration for mental health clinical trial development

A new national collaboration to transform the way mental health treatment is developed and tested will be led by Deakin University and key partners including Swinburne and Monash Universities, with $12 million support from the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

The Mental Health Australia General Clinical Trial Network (MAGNET) will start as a five-year project that will be funded through the MRFF’s Million Minds Mission, as recently announced in the Federal Budget.

11-17 May 2021 Central Clinical School recent publications

A brief mindfulness-based intervention delivered to a
general medical team improves staff attention at a multi-
disciplinary team meeting and team functioning is the
conclusion of a study first authored by Matthew Kang,
Psychiatry registrar at Alfred Health.

Recent publications featuring research as notified by PubMed during 11-17 May 2021 from Central Clinical School affiliated researchers in the following departments. The below is not a comprehensive list. The most recent validated publications for the school and departments can be seen on their publications pages, linked to from the headings below. Otherwise, read down the entry for recent notifications.

• Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology and Pathology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medicine (including Alfred and Peninsula)
• Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
• Psychiatry
• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
  
• Surgery (including National Trauma Research Institute)

Vale Dr Rosey Panelli, advocate for people with epilepsy

Vale Dr Rosey Panelli, who was a valued and beloved Department of Neuroscience member, colleague, researcher, friend and advocate for people with epilepsy. Rosey Panelli passed away after a short illness at the Alfred on 27 April. 

If you would like to join remotely to celebrate her life and achievements at 1.30 pm on Sunday 27 June 2021, (updated from the original 30 May date because of COVID) here is the live stream link: https://vividstream.com.au/panelli/

Rosey worked in the field of epilepsy since 1995, developing programs, resources and policies for patient support and community education. Her interest in epilepsy-related health policies and services led her to pursue a Master of Public Health and a PhD.

International Clinical Trials Day: 20 May

James Lind conducted the first known clinical trial in 1747, on 
a scourge of the British navy, scurvy. Image: RCPE Heritage

Every year, the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Clinical Trials Network (ANZCA CTN) celebrates International Clinical Trials Day to recognise the outstanding contribution of our ANZCA and Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM) fellows, trainees and research coordinators to investigator-led clinical trials in anaesthesia, pain and perioperative medicine. International Clinical Trials Day is held on 20 May each year to commemorate James Lind’s trials on scurvy in 1747, which is the first known clinical trial in history. 

Congratulations to Céline Pattaroni on her L.E.W. Carty grant success!

Ms Céline Pattaroni has been awarded a Carty

Signature grant of $300,000 for asthma research.

Congratulations to Ms Céline Pattaroni, who was awarded the 2021 Carty Signature Grant for her research on mechanisms of asthma in early childhood. Céline has been awarded $300,000 over a period of three years to undertake the research. She is the third Carty Signature Grant recipient.

With up to 1 in 9 Australians affected and an incidence on the rise, there is a clear need to understand the mechanisms driving asthma. 

Syphilis epidemic evolving at an alarming rate

A/Prof Eric Chow checks longitudinal data. Image: Alfred Health

A 220 per cent spike in syphilis infections in women has experts warning an 'epidemic' is in place and swift action is required to bring it under control.

Epidemiologist Associate Professor Eric Chow said the epidemic, which was once focussed on gay men in inner Melbourne, has now become much more generalised and has spread to the outer suburbs, according to recent mapping conducted at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre.

Part 1: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia: 17 May - get involved!

A rainbow of solidarity: the Monash University rainbow lanyard
shows support for LGBTQ(IA)+.

Part 1: How we can promote LGBTQ(IA)+ inclusivity at the Central Clinical School

See also Part 2: The lived experience of LGBTQ(IA)+ - Fredrik Appelgren's story

by Jessica Borger, Alex Dimitropoulos and Zhoujie Ding*

In 2004, 17 May was established as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). Since then, commemorations have taken place in more than 132 countries globally. 

However, there is still a lack of full awareness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and more (LGBTQ(IA)+) rights, or, more broadly, the acceptance of diversities, in our society. 

Part 2: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia: 17 May - Fredrik Appelgren's story

Part 2: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and more LGBTQ(IA)+ experience - Fredrik Appelgren's story

See also Part 1: How CCS can support LGBTQ(IA)+ initiatives

by Jessica Borger, Alex Dimitropoulos, Zhouije Ding*

Here we share a real-life story from the LGBTQ(IA)+ community supporting why we need to ensure inclusivity and support diversity in the workplace. We would like to thank Fredrik Appelgren for sharing his story and opinion with us.