2012 Churchill Fellows announced
Five aged care experts have been awarded with a 2012 Churchill Fellowship and $20 000 to investigate key health concerns.
A total of 35 medical researchers have received around $20,000 each to travel overseas, investigate key health concerns and return to Australia to implement their research findings, in this year’s round of Churchill Fellowships.
The 2012 Churchill Fellowship’s recipient list, announced yesterday, includes five Australians who have been funded to conduct research into a specific ageing-related area of medicine.
Thanks to the fellowship, Dr Linda Sheahan from Glebe, NSW, will now explore the interface between palliative care and physician assisted suicide/voluntary euthanasia in the USA, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
Dr Alex Bahar Fuchs from Campbell, ACT, will investigate cognitive interventions for older people at risk of dementia in the UK, USA and Israel; Dr Stuart Wark from Armidale, NSW, will assess the ageing and palliative care needs of people with an intellectual disability in the USA, UK and Ireland; Dr Mike Rungie from (ACH Group) Goodwood, SA, will explore work-related roles for people in their 70s, 80s and 90s in Japan, Canada, USA, UK and the Netherlands; and David Symons from Coburg, Vic, will study Elder Clown programs in aged care facilities in the Netherlands, Austria, UK, Canada and USA.
Other medical and health research areas that were funded through the 2012 award round were home-based dialysis therapies; cancer treatment; corneal transplantation; human health and heat-waves; tissue engineering, quit smoking programs for pregnant women; and technology for the delivery of psychological services in schools.
This year, 115 Australians were awarded with a Churchill Fellowship, covering a range of diverse research areas.
“Every one of the recipients has demonstrated dedication and a thirst for knowledge in their area of expertise,” Paul Tys, CEO of The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust said.
“We can be certain that these Churchill Fellows will make a tangible difference to the lives of every Australian in one way or another in the years to come.
“Improving our knowledge and appreciation for best practice or new and innovative approaches across the many strands of medicine and human health are incredibly important for the people of Australia.
“I warmly congratulate each and every one of them.”
The 2012 Fellowships this year are valued at more than $2.2 million and cover the broadest range of topics as applicants design their own fellowships in their field of expertise.
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, which was established after the death of Sir Winston Churchill in accordance with his final wishes, has now funded more than 3,600 Fellowships for Australians.
Applications for 2013 Fellowships open on 1 November 2012
