The first research symposium of The Hopkins Centre: Bold ideas better solutions 2017, was held on Tuesday 14th November at the Russell Strong Auditorium, Princess Alexandra Hospital, with an impressive turnout of over 160 participants representing clinicians, academics, industry groups and interested service users

The symposium was officially opened by Dr Michael Cleary, Executive Director, PAH-QEII Health Network, with a special welcome by Mr Neil Singleton from major affiliate partner, the Motor Accident Insurance Commission. It was splendid to also have Dr George Hopkins attend and receive a celebratory plaque and photo from the official launch of The Hopkins Centre.

International guest speakers, Professor Mary Ann McColl from Queens University, Canada, and Associate Professor William Levack from Otago University, New Zealand, ensured there was plenty to talk about over lunch and tea breaks with inspiring presentations about knowledge translation and evidence for rehabilitation.  The oral presentations, lightning talks and impressive array of posters also showcased the immense diversity and translation potential of interdisciplinary projects and the strength of rehabilitation and resilience research locally.

A standout of the day was the panel discussion, Rehabilitation: a hard sell! Expertly facilitated by Emeritus Professor Lesley Chenoweth, AO, the panellists were challenged on questions about the evidence base for rehabilitation, public expectations and how to scale up rehabilitation in Queensland and no one disappointed when asked to provide their personal pitch for the future of rehabilitation.

Other special highlights were the achievement awards:

• The first Hopkins Centre Translation Research Award went to Associate Professor Melissa Kendall from ABIOS for her program of research on identity
• Catherine Cave and her team at the hypertonicity service received The Hopkins Centre Translation Research Honorable Mention
• People’s Choice Award went to Brooke Wadsworth for her research presentation on mouthpiece ventilation

 

Bold ideas, better solutions 2017 provided a platform for clinicians, researchers, service users, and industry partners to exchange new ideas and enable innovative solutions that improve the health and wellbeing of people with long-term and complex rehabilitation needs, and their support networks. The symposium was convened by Griffith University and Metro South Health Division of Rehabilitation, the founding partners of The Hopkins Centre, will be a catalyst for expanding agile research alliances that have the capacity to inform a better future.

 

Download the symposium program here 

 

Bold ideas, better solutions 2018 promises to be bigger and better!