The University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine Summer 2014 Building a healthier future The University of Adelaide Alumni Magazine www.adelaide.edu.au/lumen The Lumen masthead is Message from derived from the University of Adelaide motto “Sub Cruce Lumen” meaning ‘light the Vice-Chancellor under the [Southern] Cross’. Today, almost 140 years mproving health care delivery through from different cultural backgrounds in the since our establishment, quality education and innovative University community. the University of Adelaide Iresearch has been a key focus of the Each year around 2500 international community is united in its University of Adelaide since our early students begin their studies at the quest for discovery and the foundation days. University of Adelaide and, like Lucky, In this edition of Lumen we look at they have a cultural transition to make. light of new knowledge. how our traditional medical teaching In 2014, we will be launching Experience model is evolving and feature some of Adelaide, a new program that will support the groundbreaking research areas being a personal and meaningful connection pursued by University alumni across a between our Adelaide alumni families wide range of health-related fi elds. and our incoming international students. The new Clinical School building at the Having a host family can be a transforming West End Health Precinct marks a new experience for both the student and the era in the linking of medical science and alumni family. Alumni participation will be clinical practice and highlights how far crucial to the success of this program and we have come in our efforts to achieve a I look forward to your support. coordinated multidisciplinary program. Our alumni are making a difference locally and globally by applying their different specialist health-related skills. For example, Lucky Giirre, is using her double degree in Health Sciences and Law for an interdisciplinary approach to improving health at a population and community level. Hers is a remarkable story because Lucky is a Somali refugee who could only dream of attending university. She’s an Professor Warren Bebbington example of how many students we have Vice-Chancellor and President An artist’s impression of the new Clinical School building Image courtesy of Lyons architects Editor: Contents Summer 2014 Kim Harvey Sub Editor: Ian Williams Editorial Committee: Peter Davies, Connie Dutton, Paul Finn, 7 Kim Harvey, Kate Husband, Robyn Mills, Joy Prior, 9 Genevieve Sanchez, Chris Tonkin. Contributors: Connie Dutton, Candy Gibson, Ben Osborne, Claire Richardson, Genevieve Sanchez, Ian Williams Design: Chris Tonkin Editorial Enquiries: 10 University Engagement Telephone: +61 8 8313 5800 Facsimile: +61 8 8313 5808 22 Circulation: 2 46,000 in print, 19,259 online subscriptions www.adelaide.edu.au/lumen The University of Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia, CRICOS Provider Number 00123M Copyright © 2013 13 The University of Adelaide ISSN 1320 0747 Registered by Australia Post No 56500/00097 16 Views expressed by contributors in Lumen are not necessarily endorsed by the University of Adelaide. No responsibility is accepted by the University, Building a new era in health education Q&A: The new face of engagement editor or printer for the accuracy of information 2 16 contained in either the text or advertisements. A combined teaching facility in the Introducing Kate Robertson city’s West End Material may be reproduced without permission from Lumen with acknowledgment of its origin. 4 The Class of 1980 18 Celebrating our distinguished alumni Shaping the future of medical teaching Recognition for fi ve outstanding alumni Front cover image: Professor Justin Beilby, Building pathways to good health Merging Chinese and western medicine Executive Dean of Health 6 22 Sciences, at the proposed Health Sciences high achievers Ground-breaking research site for the new Clinical School building. 7 Lucky develops a legal eye 24 Honouring a generous Photo by James Field for public health community of supporters Working to reduce social isolation The Hughes Bequest Society 8 Nola’s hands-on trauma 25 New program gives an Would you rather read Lumen online? training gets results Adelaide experience As part of the University’s commitment to Transforming medical emergency training Alumni connecting with international students sustainable practices we encourage you to receive Lumen online. 9 PhD breakthrough for brain 26 Colombo scholar celebrates golden tumour treatment reunion with gratitude To join our online mailing list please email [email protected] Dr Elizabeth Harford-Wright to hone her skills The 1963 graduates’ Golden Jubilee reunion 10 Rhodes Scholar still fl ying high 28 Your support counts NASA comes knocking on Dr Tom Smith’s door Recognition and thanks to our donors 12 Easing the burden for rural 29 You can make a difference cancer patients Resthaven Incorporated scholarships 2013 Premier’s Young Achiever of the Year 13 Building a family dynasty 30 Alumni on the Move The Verco family connection Sharing alumni achievements 15 New body to boost Dental School 32 Between the lines Professional networking and fundraising The latest books by our alumni authors for dentistry 1652-5 Th e University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine 1 Building a new era in health education 2 Lumen | Summer 2014 story by Claire Richardson A combined teaching facility for the schools of Medicine and Nursing in the city’s West End is designed to place the University of Adelaide at the forefront of international health education. he new Clinical School building “It is important for the success of the “Co-location in the building of different for Medicine and Nursing is precinct that there are strong design research groups and the close proximity Tbeing created in the heart of the linkages between the new RAH, the of the building with the new Royal South Australian Health and Biomedical South Australian Health and Medical Adelaide Hospital and SAHMRI will Precinct (SAHBP) and modelled on Research Institute (SAHMRI), the inevitably encourage cross fertilisation some of the world’s leading university University of Adelaide and UniSA, and that of ideas and increase interdisciplinary hospital precincts. there is a fl ow that draws us all together— research,” he said. The initiative is helping to transform the not just as four separate buildings. “We strongly believe that the integration city’s West End in North Terrace into a “The West End may not have the of teaching and research is crucial for world-class clinical hub, building on more Botanic Gardens, but it will have the river our discovery-led medical program. Our than 130 years of collaboration with the and integration with North Terrace and the students will increasingly be exposed to Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH). CBD which will enrich the life and activity world-beating clinical research, enhancing Faculty of Health Sciences Executive within the precinct.” their enthusiasm and involvement in Dean, Professor Justin Beilby, said He said the University is designing an translational medicine.” the West End development will take environment where health and medical The West End development will be the collaborative learning to the next level, research intersects with students and the largest of the seven Faculty of Health supporting over 1500 students and 1000 community, where researchers, clinicians Sciences’ seven precincts; the West End clinicians and researchers. and students bump into each other in precinct, Frome Road, North Terrace, the “While we have long moved away from shared spaces, cafes and facilities, and Women’s and Children’s Hospital, the Lyell the traditional health teaching model where the community is drawn in, not McEwin Hospital, the Queen Elizabeth to a curriculum that now links science shut out by a closed door. Hospital and Rural and Remote Areas. and clinical exposure up front, these “We are all excited by the opportunity The Federal Government is providing new facilities mean we can also, where to train students across disciplines in $60 million towards the cost of the project practical, link medicine and nursing to build a future-focused curriculum that will which will be ready for students in 2017. a team-based care system we want for the improve health and patient care in health system of the future,” he said. South Australia.” “It’s extremely important to us that Dean of Nursing, Professor Alison We are all excited by students and other key stakeholders Kitson, said the co-location will provide the opportunity to train continue to inform the co-creation process opportunity for high quality inter- to ensure we are building facilities that professional learning in key areas such students across disciplines will truly facilitate learning models that as clinical skills and simulation, and in a future-focused resonate with our students while still some common teaching of generic maintaining our famed academic rigour clinical knowledge. curriculum that will improve and ensuring our students are work-ready She stressed the importance of the health and patient care in prior to graduation.” West End development to work as an The Faculty of Health Sciences expects enabler for the more effective translation South Australia. to reap benefi ts across all programs and of new knowledge into clinical practice. schools. Initiatives include: “Doctors and nurses work closely > The introduction of inter-professional together in clinical environments. Starting learning to improve outcomes in areas that networking during study and, where such as communication, infection appropriate, delivering learning and control, ethics and Indigenous health. simulated environments they are likely to > New teaching techniques involving experience in the workforce while still at online media, simulations and small University makes a lot of sense,” she said. group learning. “In the end it’s all about creating work- > State-of-the art wet and dry laboratory ready professionals who know how to use space with the ability to link new the best evidence in everyday practice.” research to clinical practice.