Get the latest news from across Northern Sydney Local Health District.
Kolling researchers identifying COVID-19 impact on heart health
Technology to improve care for whiplash injuries
Neuroscience and pain researchers in the spotlight
Discovery into reality
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MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Our efforts to strengthen research collaborations are already paving the way towards new partnerships. The monthly research seminars are receiving good numbers and good feedback, while further steps are being taken to establish collaborations which bring together the cross-cutting themes of our priority research areas. While everyone’s working arrangements are being impacted by the pandemic, there are many good stories to tell at the Kolling, from substantial new funding and industry partnerships, to collaborations on nationally and internationally significant projects and a broad range of innovative research. Each breakthrough and step forward in scientific knowledge is getting us closer to new diagnostic tools, informed treatments and improved health outcomes. Have a look through this newsletter and check out the impressive research underway.
We heard about the significant progress being made by these researchers, their exciting projects and tangible improvements to patient care and community health. This showcase was the first of three events to focus on the strengths and diversity of the research priority areas, and broaden awareness of activity across these disciplines. We are now looking forward to the Cardiovascular and Renal Research Showcase on October 8, and the Musculoskeletal Research Showcase early next year. Another key achievement in recent months has been the development of the new research plan. Excellent progress has been made on this strategic document with further input received from the Kolling Executive Committee, the NORTH Foundation and the joint venture partners. Following the consultation, a range of goals, timelines and measurable steps have been established. It is anticipated the research plan will be presented to the Kolling Institute Governance Committee for endorsement this month.
The pandemic has certainly shaped our experience in recent months, impacting our work, families and the delivery of healthcare. Research activity has been affected by the current COVID-19 restrictions, but I have been encouraged by the commitment to progress our important work. Researchers are making every effort to adopt a flexible approach and adapt to the current situation. Teams have found new ways to be collaborative and productive, and where possible, have shifted their focus to dry lab and online arrangements. Critical laboratory work is continuing in line with NSW Health, university and local health district requirements, and a large number of online events are being held. I would like to extend my appreciation and admiration for these efforts. One example of this was the recently staged Neuroscience and Pain Research Showcase. While we weren’t able to meet in person, more than 250 people joined the event online, which profiled the incredibly strong expertise we have across this research priority area.
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Kolling researchers identifying COVID-19 impact on heart health
indications point to a concerning new trend for a group which has until now, largely escaped significant health complications from COVID-19.” Professor Bhindi said the rising number of cases demonstrates the importance of the study to help inform clinicians around the likely outcomes and best models of care for these patients. “As the largest registry of cardiac complications from COVID-19 in Australia, it will have a key role in improving health outcomes, and potentially saving lives.”
one in fifty patients experiencing heart failure, and one person in one hundred suffering clinically significant heart inflammation. “The initial results of the AUS-COVID study demonstrate that cardiac complications from COVID-19 while concerning are not as common as we initially feared they would be,” he said. “The rates of complications were reassuringly lower than those published in other countries across Europe and North America.”
The largest study of its type in Australia will investigate the impact of COVID-19 on younger patients with new trends emerging around the cardiac complications from the Delta strain of the virus. Launched last year, the AUS- COVID trial assessed more than 640 patients in 21 hospitals across Australia, recording cardiovascular complications. From this group, 125 were people were admitted to intensive care units, 70 required intubation and 92 patients died. Initial study results indicate one in twenty five patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 developed atrial fibrillation or abnormal heart rhythm, and this occurred more frequently in those over 65, in 1 in 16 patients. Abnormal heart rhythm can lead to stroke and requires prompt treatment. Kolling researcher Professor Ravinay Bhindi, and Head of the Cardiology Department at Royal North Shore Hospital, said the trial found that other concerning complications of COVID-19 such as heart failure and heart inflammation (myopericarditis) were not as common as expected, with
As the Delta strain of COVID-19 continues to spread in parts of Australia, researchers will now shift their focus towards assessing the cardiac complications of this highly-contagious strain. “We are seeing initial reports of an increase in cardiac complications, including a rise in the number of younger patients experiencing significant cardiac events, such as myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart.
Professor Ravinay Bhindi
“These preliminary
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New fellowship to strengthen commercial research opportunities Dr Cindy Shu will have a key role in building commercial capabilities Research Lab to improve therapies for osteoarthritis
“Our program expects researchers to return to their home institution so this ensures we embed high-level, industry-ready experience in the research sector,” he said. Cindy has welcomed the chance to be involved in the program. “This opportunity will help me pursue my research interest in osteoarthritis, and will ensure research translation, rather than having valuable data remain solely in the research- publication loop,” she said. “I’m very excited to be collaborating with Regeneus and welcome the chance to be part of their mentoring program which will guide me through the pathway between bench and bedside.” Regeneus has also announced an exciting research collaboration with Professor Chris Little and the Raymond Purves Bone and Joint
at the Kolling after receiving a fellowship from the Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) program. The program provides financial support to medical technology and pharmaceutical companies to bring the best talent in-house to work on priority medical research projects. Cindy is one of just two researchers in NSW to receive the fellowship, and will now work within Regeneus, a regenerative medicine company to progress clinical trials for osteoarthritis treatments. MTPConnect Managing Director and CEO Dr Dan Grant said supporting researchers to move seamlessly between research and industry is critical for the growth of Australia’s medical technology and pharmaceutical sector.
The study will further explore the disease modifying effects of Progenza™ and assess its effect in modulating the inflammatory and immune responses in a pre- clinical mode of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Regeneus and Professor Little have worked together over a number years, previously conducting equine animal studies. CEO Karolis Rosickas said we’re very pleased to be working with Professor Little and his team. “We look forward to working together on this important study which will support our Progenza™ clinical program, where we will shortly commence a Phase 2 trial in Japan with our partner Kyocera and are currently conducting preparatory work for a US Phase 2 study.”
Dr Cindy Shu
Professor Chris Little
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KOLLINGNEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021
New technology holds the key to better care for whiplash injuries
“There are many personal stories where people have experienced long term constant pain, but no physical changes could be found through imaging. “Importantly, this new process could be incorporated into clinical radiology practice, which would open up new treatment pathways.” Professor Elliott said the findings are significant given that more than 2.6 million Australians and four million Americans suffer a whiplash- associated-disorder every year. “Whiplash disorders are a leading cause of disability worldwide, costing the Australian economy around a $AUD1 billion a year, and the American economy more than $USD100 billion per annum. “We believe this new technological approach will deliver diagnostic, predictive and clinical benefits.”
improvements in high resolution MRI and rapid acquisition and measurement techniques. “We innovatively applied artificial intelligence, dramatically reducing the processing times of measuring muscle composition from hours to seconds,” he said. “We found changes in muscle composition occurred in both men and women, but to a larger extent in women and in the deep muscles, attaching directly to the spine. “Our study demonstrated a game- changing approach which may have significant implications for the diagnosis and treatment of those with a whiplash injury. “The gains in MRI technology and the rapid acquisition techniques mean we are able to diagnose injuries which wouldn’t have been captured in the past.
New research is set to revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of whiplash injuries, one of the most common and challenging injuries following a non-catastrophic motor vehicle collision. The longitudinal study, conducted over more than five years, involved researchers from the Kolling Institute along with scientists from Northwestern University, University of Colorado and Stanford University. As part of the trial, more than 80 people underwent MRI scans of their neck two weeks after their crash and then again at 12 months. The scans measured muscle composition, a key indicator of whiplash injury and other disorders of the cervical spine. The Kolling’s Acting Executive Director and NSLHD Professor of Allied Health Jim Elliott said the project took advantage of
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World-leading research in the spotlight
research area, and the development of new opportunities with national and international collaborators,” he said. “The Pain Management Research Institute for instance is already working closely with our Ageing and Pharmacology team around opioid tapering, and is looking towards closer ties with the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research. “Stronger national and international partnerships will also bolster our efforts to improve the lives of people living with neurological conditions and disabling pain. “We’re looking forward to our next showcase which will hopefully be run in-person at a time that looks very different to now.”
and policy frameworks, and improving community health,” she said. “Our research ranges from investigations into new stem cell technologies through to large international clinical trials, and it was great to hear more about these exciting projects. “It was also encouraging to hear from the impressive early and mid-career researchers, who shared details of their ground breaking work.” Pain Management Research Institute Director Professor Paul Glare said the presentations aligned well with the keynote talks from Professor Don Nutbeam, the Executive Director of Sydney Health Partners and Dr Tony Penna, the Executive Director of the Office for Health and Medical Research, who both highlighted the importance of translating research into clinical practice. “The showcase emphasised the importance of research collaborations, including existing partnerships within the priority
The Neuroscience and Pain Research Showcase provided a timely opportunity to demonstrate the breadth of expertise across this priority research area at the Kolling. Co-ordinated by Professors Paul Glare and Lisa Harvey, the online event attracted more than 250 people. A diverse range of presentations focused on the cutting-edge research targeting mitochondrial disease, psychiatric disorders, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Researchers shared details too of world-leading projects to reduce the damaging impact of multiple medications. Senior researcher Professor Lisa Harvey said it was an important opportunity to promote the talented researchers across this priority research area and their significant achievements. “Our neuroscience and pain researchers have a unique breadth of skills, with their research progress directly influencing clinical practice
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More women diagnosed with gestational diabetes but health outcomes aren’t improving Researchers from the Kolling Institute are calling for a reduction in medical interventions and a more personalised approach for women at risk of gestational diabetes. The call follows an analysis of all births in New South Wales over a 10-year period, which found the incidence of gestational diabetes had more than doubled and now affects up to 15 per cent of pregnant women. Gestational diabetes is the fastest growing type of diabetes in Australia, diagnosed for the first time in pregnancy. Director of the Kolling’s Women and Babies Research team, Professor Jonathan Morris said women with gestational diabetes have higher rates of complications such as pre- eclampsia and may develop diabetes later in life. The RNSH maternal-fetal medicine specialist said there can be complications for babies of mothers with gestational diabetes too, with these babies more likely to be large. “We have seen a significant increase in the rates of gestational diabetes since 2010 following new recommendations which lowered the threshold for diagnosis,” he said. “While more women have been diagnosed with this type of diabetes, our research team found there’s also been a rise in the number of interventions including planned births or caesarean sections, leading
Professor Jonathan Morris
“We’re now working to develop a personalised risk prediction model for women with gestational diabetes to make it easier for clinicians to identify women who are at risk of complications based on their individual circumstances, rather than applying a universal rule to the timing of delivery for women with this condition,” he said.
to more babies being born before 40 weeks without a clear improvement in health outcomes for women and their babies. “There is a general lack of awareness amongst both clinicians and expectant parents of the short and long-term implications of being born even slightly early. “It’s really important to consider the long-term health of the baby and the health benefits of prolonging the pregnancy especially as rates of gestational diabetes continue to rise.
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Professor Sarah Hilmer
Researchers collaborate to tackle one of the nation’s biggest health challenges
vulnerable people living in aged care. It’s exciting to work with this multidisciplinary team to improve care in this complex environment,” she said. The project will involve the New South Wales Therapeutic Advisory Group, which is chaired by Professor Hilmer. The group will lead the development of quality use of medicines indicators for antipsychotics, benzodiazapines and antidepressants. The four-year program will be conducted in partnership with the University of Queensland, Flinders University, University of Sydney and five aged care providers in Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Project lead Professor Simon Bell said rates of psychotropic medication use remain high, despite an overall lack of evidence for benefits and well- established risks. “New models of evidence-translation are needed to ensure safe and effective medication management,” he said. “Through this project, pharmacists will work in close partnership with nurses, GPs, residents and their families to provide training in managing changed behaviours and to coordinate education using evidence-based resources.” Kolling researcher Professor Sarah Hilmer, a leading geriatrician and clinical pharmacologist has welcomed the opportunity to be part of the research team. “Importantly, this project will help implement best practice for the
Researchers from the Kolling Institute will support an important, Australia-wide project to address the inappropriate use of medications in residential aged care. The initiative, to be co-ordinated by Monash University’s Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, has been awarded $2 million through the Medical Research Future Fund. It will see pharmacists embedded in residential aged care facilities, so they can implement evidence-based recommendations to improve the use of psychotropic medications in people living with dementia and in aged care. Australian research suggests more than 60 per cent of residents use psychotropic medications, like antidepressants on a regular basis, and more than 90 per cent of residents experience one or more medication-related problems.
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Professor Carolyn Sue
Researchers to improve diagnosis for genetic disorders Kolling researchers will drive a large, national research project to improve diagnostic rates for those with mitochondrial diseases and broaden treatment pathways. “I’m really pleased to be leading our talented, multi-disciplinary clinical team on this project, which may offer support to a large number of people.
“In recent years, new DNA technologies have increased our ability to diagnose mitochondrial diseases by more than doubling the detection rate of genetic mutations in affected patients. “Importantly, we anticipate this new approach with combined omic technologies will raise diagnostic rates to over 70 per cent. “This landmark improvement will lead to more patients being diagnosed, opening up more effective treatment pathways and crucially, improving long-term health outcomes.” The technology will offer greater support with family planning and prevent some diseases from being passed on from generation to generation. “Mitochondrial diseases are very difficult to diagnose, and in some cases it has taken many decades for an accurate diagnosis to be confirmed.
“Mitochondrial diseases can have a devastating impact on individuals and their families. The disease robs people of their energy and can affect any organ in the body. “That’s why this research is so important and has a great potential to make a significant improvement to many people’s lives, and not just their lives, but their children’s lives as well.” The project is a collaborative study also involving Kolling researcher Dr Ryan Davis and teams from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Telethon Kids Institute, the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Queensland Children’s Hospital and the Mito Foundation.
A $3 million grant from the Medical Research Future Fund is being invested in the project, which will involve clinicians, researchers and diagnostic scientists from a host of organisations including the Kolling and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Kolling Executive Director and project clinical lead Professor Carolyn Sue has welcomed the funding, saying the project will use the latest technology of genome sequencing to help diagnose those with mitochondrial diseases. “This technology will build on our earlier research which demonstrated that whole genome sequencing was the best way to identify these diseases,” she said.
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Australian first study to alleviate pain for those with spinal cord injuries
“Around 200 people a year suffer a spinal cord injury in NSW, and while that number may not seem large, these catastrophic injuries have a tremendous impact on individuals and their families,” he said. “If we’re able to effectively reduce their nerve pain without major side effects, it’ll have an immeasurable impact on their health, their ability to work and function, and specifically their mental health as well.” The trial will bring together researchers from the Kolling as well as the University of Sydney, University of NSW, University of Technology and the University of Washington.
“This means a large number of people with a spinal cord injury continue to experience debilitating pain with no access to effective treatment options.” The five-year study will assess a new approach using an interactive gaming technology to reduce pain by helping to rectify the negative impact of the spinal cord injury on brain activity. Spinal cord injuries generally reduce the frequency of brain activity, so this highly-specialised game has been designed to encourage high frequency activity and beneficial changes to the brain. Professor Craig welcomed the opportunity to be involved in the promising, collaborative trial.
Researchers from the Kolling Institute will partner with international and Australian experts to examine an innovative approach to nerve pain for those with spinal cord injuries. The ground breaking study has been awarded more than $1.78 million through the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund. Professors Ashley Craig, James Middleton and Paul Glare from the Kolling and the University of Sydney will join the study as chief investigators, with Associate Professor Sylvia Gustin from the University of NSW leading the trial. Professor Craig said the study will investigate the effectiveness of an advanced interactive intervention to reduce nerve pain and improve function. “We often regard loss of mobility as the most serious impact of a spinal cord injury, but we have found people with this injury consistently indicate nerve pain is their most difficult and debilitating challenge,” he said. “We know that nerve pain affects up to 75 per cent of people with a spinal cord injury, and they describe the pain as burning, sharp, unbearable, unremitting and terrifying. Such pain is often linked with serious depression. “Current treatments often involve the use of antidepressants, anti- epileptics and opioids, but these medications provide limited pain relief to around 30 per cent of people and have a host of adverse side-effects related to addiction and kidney failure.
Professor Ashley Craig
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KOLLINGNEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021
Research directs spotlight onto the effectiveness of spinal surgery New research has found that while the majority of Australian spinal surgeons expect large improvements from common spinal procedures, they say there is only poor quality scientific evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of surgery compared with non-surgical approaches like physiotherapy. A team from the Kolling Institute’s Back Pain Research group and the University of Sydney surveyed around a third of the nation’s spinal surgeons in the largest study of its type in Australia. The research was the first in the world to examine surgeon’s opinions on the evidence for the two most common spinal surgeries, lumbar decompression and microdiscectomy. Principle investigator David Anderson said it was important to investigate the efficacy of these surgeries which are undertaken to reduce the pain and improve mobility with lumbar spinal stenosis.
“This can be a painful, disabling condition and it’s the most common cause of spine surgery in older adults,” he said. “Our investigations found that while surgeons on average expect an 86 per cent improvement in a person’s pain three months after lumbar decompression surgery, and a 89 per cent improvement after microdiscectomy, they believed more research was necessary. “Just under 90 per cent of surgeons said more data was needed on the effectiveness of spinal surgeries compared with non-surgical treatments like physiotherapy and medications. “Surgeons particularly called for greater scrutiny over lumbar fusion surgery for spinal stenosis. In fusion surgery spinal segments are fused together using spinal implants. “Interestingly, we also found differences in the way these common operations are performed by Australian and European surgeons. “We found that more European surgeons prefer minimally invasive spinal surgical procedures than Australian surgeons. Minimally invasive spine surgery is appealing, but we
David Anderson
don’t yet have clinical studies to prove it is more effective. The survey shows that many Australian spine surgeons would not agree that these techniques are better.” The study was a collaborative project also involving surgeons from Concord, Liverpool, Nepean hospitals, the University of New South Wales and Prince of Wales Hospital. The authors would like to acknowledge the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia for their support in inviting surgeons to participate. “Without the support of organisations like the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia, research like this would not be possible. We greatly appreciate their support,” David said.
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Professor Michael Nicholas
Dr Manasi Mittinty
Researchers celebrate national award Kolling Institute researchers have been recognised with a prestigious award for an initiative to support people to return to work after injury. More than 270 workers were identified as being at high risk of delayed recovery and enrolled in the study.
Professor Nicholas said this is a significant development which highlights the potential of collaborative projects to improve outcomes for injured workers, while also producing financial savings for the employer. “It’s a great example of researchers working closely with industry to evaluate a new approach to deliver long-term, tangible improvements,” he said. “This approach has not only been welcomed by Australia Post, but by injured workers and their doctors. “Workers appreciated the connection to positive people and consistent reassurance, while general practitioners said they were able to provide treatments that would otherwise be very difficult for patients to access.”
Participants in the intervention arm of the trial were offered up to six sessions with a psychologist or counsellor, and a workplace rehabilitation provider to assist with barriers for early return to work. This was in addition to the medical and physiotherapy care normally provided for such injured workers. While the study is continuing, Professor Nicholas said the intervention arm has already demonstrated benefits with return to full hours at work in less than half the time of the usual care arm. Australia Post’s injury management team has responded quickly, implementing the protocol for all their injured workers across Australia.
The project, named Early Matched Care at Australia Post, was named the 2021 Winner of Comcare’s national Recovery at and Return to Work Award. The research team was led by Professor Michael Nicholas, from the Pain Management Research Centre at RNSH and the University of Sydney, and research manager Dr Manasi Mittinty. The team partnered with Australia Post for the two-year trial, which involved early identification and intervention for injured workers at risk of delayed recovery following a work- related injury.
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KOLLINGNEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021
Kolling researchers join global effort to reduce heart disease in women Two of our leading cardiovascular experts have been appointed to a prestigious world expert panel to reduce rates of cardiovascular disease in women. Royal North Shore Hospital interventional cardiologist Professor Gemma Figtree, and senior hospital scientist Dr Anastasia Mihailidou, have been appointed commissioners of The Lancet women and cardiovascular disease Commission. The pair joins the all-female panel of 17 experts who are calling for urgent action on cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women in a report recently released. Both Gemma and Anastasia were invited to join the commission, along with 15 other leading female CVD experts to provide recommendations on how to reduce the burden of the
disease is responsible for 35 per cent of deaths in women each year. High blood pressure is the greatest risk factor contributing to years of lost life from CVD in women, followed by high body mass index and high low density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol. Gemma said while these well- established risk factors might affect women differently than men, there are sex-specific risk factors such as premature menopause and pregnancy related-disorders that must be more widely recognised and prioritised as part of treatment and prevention efforts worldwide. “This report lays out the gaps and challenges, and identifies strategies required to begin to improve the health of women’s hearts around the world,” she said. “The commissioners are committed to work with researchers from across the translational pipeline to unravel novel mechanisms, best prevention and treatment strategies, and to improve equitable access.”
disease – which is the leading cause of death among women. “The Commission Report released in The Lancet is the result of three years of work to collect and collate the different sources of data and research, as well as numerous regional parallel efforts underway to provide recommendations to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease in women by 2030,” Anastasia said. “It provides the starting point for a global strategy for call to action to mobilise and energise the many key stakeholders, health-care professionals, policy makers, and women themselves for a healthier future. “The Commission will continue to observe trends, evaluate the effect of current recommendations, and suggest actionable key initiatives to combat cardiovascular disease in women during the next decade.” The Commission aims to help reduce the global burden of cardiovascular conditions – including heart disease and stroke by 2030. Cardiovascular
Professor Gemma Figtree
Dr Anastasia Mihailidou
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Technology to deliver support to those with back pain during the pandemic While the COVID-19 pandemic is interrupting access to some healthcare services, an innovative approach may hold the key to support for those with low back pain. Researchers at the University of Sydney and the Kolling Institute have launched a study to measure the effectiveness of a mobile health program which offers self- management strategies via text messages. Study lead Professor Manuela Ferreira said broader options for care are needed given the large number of people who experience the condition. “Low back pain is the greatest cause of disability worldwide, impacting social, family and work activities,” she said. “In Australia, it affects one in six people and is the main reason Australians miss work and retire involuntarily. “People with low back pain need affordable interventions to help themmanage their condition, and
this mobile health program provides practical, evidenced-based strategies through text messages. “Text messaging is an easy, accessible and affordable intervention that can empower people with low back pain to better manage their own symptoms. It can be used to support people anywhere, at any time of the day.” Text messaging initiatives have been shown to help people with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. “Our study, named TEXT4myBACK, is assessing two formats of text message interventions, which differ in frequency and content,” Professor Ferreira said.
improving function and back pain symptoms. Musculoskeletal Australia is supporting the study and CEO Rob Anderson said they’re pleased to be involved. “Most of us have a mobile phone and use it regularly. Receiving text messaging to help manage debilitating low back pain seems like such a simple, yet effective way to help so many Australians in need. We’re excited to be a part of this study and look forward to seeing the outcomes.” The research team is recruiting for the project so if you have low back pain and would like to find out about participating in the study, visit bit.ly/ TEXT4myBACK and complete the pre- screening survey.
“Researchers will then measure whether the text messages are
Professor Manuela Ferreira
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KOLLINGNEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021
Global focus on musculoskeletal health Kolling researchers are part of an international team calling for
centred care, equitable access to medicines and technologies, building capacity in the health workforce to deliver the right care at the right time, population health surveillance, and research and innovation. “The blueprint is practical and can inform what a global strategic response might look like and how countries can respond to musculoskeletal health in order to arrest the increasing global burden of disability and cost,” Lyn said. The international team involved researchers from Curtin University, the Kolling Institute, the University of Sydney, the University of Toronto, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Kathmandu University and the University of Southern Denmark.
researcher Professor Lyn March said more than 1.5 billion people live with a musculoskeletal condition, such as low back pain, fractures, arthritis and osteoporosis, but despite calls to action, health systems have continued to under-prioritise these conditions. “This important new initiative will provide a global-level strategic response, guiding international health reform and providing a framework for countries to adapt to suit their local needs,” she said. The blueprint focuses on critical areas for reform, including community education, leadership and governance, health financing models, service delivery models that support integrated and person-
musculoskeletal health to become a global priority, addressing a current lack of funding for the world’s leading cause of pain. The project team found the management of musculoskeletal health is under-prioritised despite its impact on the community, and devised an action plan to address this gap. It mapped the current landscape for musculoskeletal health, identified trends in national health policies and developed a blueprint to prioritise musculoskeletal health. Head of the Department of Rheumatology and Kolling Institute
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Legacy gifts guide the future Did you know that approximately half of the philanthropic income that supports the Northern Sydney Local Health District is generated by bequests or legacy gifts? Because healthcare workers and researchers make such a difference in people’s lives, members of our community choose to leave legacy gifts and invest in the future of healthcare. At the NORTH Foundation, we have a new enquiry pack to assist people who are interested in leaving a bequest to beneficiaries like the Kolling Institute.
If you receive an enquiry from someone regarding a bequest or legacy gift, please help us honour the donor’s wishes by connecting them to our team.
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