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Welcome to 2022
Welcome to the March edition of the School of Medicine and Dentistry newsletter.
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It has certainly not been the beginning to the new year that we would have liked, however, in these uncertain and challenging times probably to be expected.
We would like to acknowledge and thank all those staff who have been working to rapidly respond to the most recent impacts of COVID on our students, particularly those who were affected by the recent Queensland Health (QH) mandate regarding mask fit testing for students undertaking clinical placements at QH sites. This is a significant impost and has required considerable work on the part of our dentistry, medicine and paramedicine teams. This work will be on-going as we do all we can to ensure our students are compliant to enable them to complete the clinical requirements of their programs, graduate and pursue their chosen professions.
While there will be obstacles to our business-as-usual activity in 2022, there will also be many successes and achievements for our staff and our students.
In terms of learning and teaching, in 2022 we will build on excellent performance in Student Experience of Courses (SEC) and Teaching (SET) with eight staff receiving DVC (Education) Teaching Commendations in Trimester 2 alone. Well done to Dr Jamie Arthur, Dr Matthew Yakimoff, Dr Megan Gray, Dr Navodika Yaparathna, Dr Tiago Braga, Mr Darrin Hatchman, Professor Peter Reher, and Professor Jeroen Kroon on their stellar teaching performance. Professor Jing Sun, Dr Lisa Kruck and Dr Khaled Ahmed were awarded Senior Fellowships of the Higher Education Academy – well done. And retention for the Bachelor of Dental Health Science and Bachelor of Paramedicine were in the top eight for all the University's programs and top four in the Health Group.
There is much for us to be proud of and to drive us forward to build a stronger learning and teaching, research and engagement profile. Here's to a successful 2022.
Deputy Head of School (Learning and Teaching)
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Research matters
We have much to be proud of in the School in terms of our ever-growing research profile. Researchers within the School in 2021 were named Chief Investigators on nationally competitive grants worth in total $52.5mil from sources including National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), Australian Research Council (ARC), the Healthy Environment and Lives (HEAL) network, as well as commercial and philanthropic sources. Furthermore, our staff recorded 565 publications last year, including having their work published in some very high impact journals such as Nature (2), Lancet (6), JAMA (1), and the BMJ (1).
This is a very strong base upon which to build and is a demonstration of the impact and influence of our research activity.
Deputy Head of School (Research)
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News from our Staff
Australia Day Honours for Professor Alfred Lam AM
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Congratulations to our colleague Professor Alfred Lam who was recognised in the Australia Day Honours List and awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to tertiary education, research and to pathology.
Alfred was the Foundation Chair and Head of Pathology with the former School of Medicine. He has had a long and distinguished career with more than 400 peer-reviewed publications and an impressive clinical research portfolio. Prior to joining Griffith in 2004, Alfred was the Head of Pathology in the School of Medicine at James Cook University. He has also held positions with the University of Hong Kong and has several Honorary roles with institutions including the University of Queensland and the First Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, China.
We congratulate Alfred on this well-deserved acknowledgement of his contributions to education, research and to the field of pathology.
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2021 Australian Awards for University Teaching
Congratulations to A/Professor Vinod Gopalan on receiving an AAUT Award for Teaching Excellence.
Vinod was recognised in the Health category for his student-centred approaches to histopathology learning—incorporating workplace and discipline informed experiential learning to support academic success and self-confidence.
Congratulations to Vinod on winning this highly competitive national award, which recognises his stellar contribution to the student learning experience.
If you would like to find out more about the Australian Awards for University Teaching or watch the ceremony, you can do so HERE.
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Congratulations to our School of Medicine and Dentistry colleagues on their recent professional achievements
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Congratulations to members of the School community who have received recent recognition in a range of awards schemes and other professional recognition.
In the 2021 Vice Chancellor's Gala Awards - Professional and Support Services, Lester Norris was Highly Commended in the Excellence in Enhancing Teaching category. Congratulations on this fitting recognition of your outstanding support to our staff and students in your Academic Support Officer role, Lester. We are grateful to you for your enduring efforts.
As part of the 2021 Vice Chancellor's Gala Awards - Griffith Awards for Excellence in Teaching, Deputy Head of School (Learning and Teaching) Professor Elizabeth Cardell was awarded Higher Education Academy Principal Fellow in recognition of her contribution to allied health assessment and quality as an accreditor, review assessor and expert. Libby pioneered simulated learning activities that had far-reaching impact on health students resulting in a change in national policy for speech pathology clinical education. Congratulations Libby.
Professor Jane Evans was awarded the Group Education Leadership award and recognised for her evidence-based teaching and leadership for dual Bachelor of Dental Technology and Dental Prosthetics. As inaugural Program Director, Jane led the design and benchmarked internationally, creating transportable qualifications.
A/Professor Vinod Gopalan was part of the Medical Laboratory Science Program Team awarded Programs and Teams that Enhance Learning Award. The Medical Laboratory Science Program Team has implemented multiple excellent learning and teaching innovations which have demonstrably enhanced student learning and student satisfaction over time. Great work Vinod.
In the Pro Vice Chancellor (Health) Staff Excellence Awards – congratulations goes to Judith Walmsley who was the very worthy recipient of the Engagement Award in recognition of outstanding performance in her role as Clinical Placement Officer at the Sunshine Coast. Judith retired from the School in December last year and we were sad to see her leave – but very pleased that her outstanding work was recognised in this way.
Professor Marcelo Da Silva Figueredo has been appointed Foreign Adjunct Professor (Affiliated to research) at the Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. The position aims to facilitate scientific collaboration and strengthen and enhance teaching and research quality. A wonderful research and engagement opportunity for Marcelo and the School.
Congratulations to Dr Vanessa Reher on successfully completing the Graduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching. As a result, she has also achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) through the HEA Fellowships@Griffith Scheme.
Congratulations to Professor Jing Sun on a successful application for accreditation as statistician by Statistical Society of Australia.
It is wonderful to see our staff succeeding and being recognised for their contributions to their respective fields and disciplines. |
PhD candidates' debate at international seminar
The first joint seminar between Karolinska Institutet and Griffith University was held on Thursday 24 February 2022 where two periodontal Doctor of Clinical Dentistry candidates from Griffith University and two candidates from Karolinska Institutet presented one article each and shared their experience and understanding of the current literature regarding nonsurgical periodontal treatment. The students debated for two hours about different strategies used for the treatment of periodontal diseases.
The seminar was chaired by Professor Marcelo Figueredo (School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University) and Dr. Kare Buhlin (Perio Section, Division of Oral Diseases, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden).
The successful inaugural seminar has prompted another event to take place in September.
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Early heat warning system to help save lives in changing climate
A Griffith University-led three-year project to develop an early warning system in homes during extreme heat events has received more than $2 million in funding.
Led by A/Professor Shannon Rutherford, from our Public Health team, EtHOs is a multidisciplinary research team within the Climate Action research group that includes experts in aged-care nursing, IT, human physiology, engineering, climate science, health economics and environmental epidemiology.
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State record - Master swim
In November 2021, the Miami Masters Swimming Club Relay team broke the QLD state record for the men's 4x200 freestyle relay with a time of 9:55.09. The competition took place at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.
The Miami Masters Swimming Club Relay team was comprised of Hugh McGaw, Aaron Davis, Sean de Gelder and our very own Professor of Periodontology, Marcelo Figueredo (on the left of the picture). Great work!
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Health Mixed Choir Open To all Singers
Griffith Health Choir, The Blenders, is open to all people who enjoy the joys and health benefits of singing. The group meets every Monday evening 7.00 pm - 9.30 pm in the Griffith Auditorium, level 4, G40.
Staff, students, friends and community members are all welcome, no audition required, just a passion for singing and harmony.
Excellent part predominate learning tracks are available to fast-track learning for those who do not read music and the Choir Director, Jono Albertini, imparts his exceptional knowledge and skills gained from his "Masters in Voice" from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music to coach group singing, blending and tuning.
Check out the recording of their first song recorded at the end of the first rehearsal HERE.
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Our students: achieving; engaging and giving back
Griffith Golden Key Scholarship recipients are all smiles
Two dentistry students have been named recipients of Golden Key International Honor Society Scholarships.
Third-year Bachelor of Dental Health Science student Tiarnee Iddles was awarded an Undergraduate Achievement Scholarship, while Master of Dentistry candidate Monica Galvin received the Graduate Scholarship.
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Griffith medical students win first place again in surgical skills competition!
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Each year, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) holds a surgical skills competition, with teams of top five students selected through heats from each medical school in Queensland. Each team compete in five stations, consisting of simple interrupted and mattress suturing, cyst removal and subcuticular suturing, laparoscopic simulation, surgical knot tying and an anatomy theory station. From Griffith, Shentel Chang, Bianca Byfield, Khilan Shukla, Ethan Xin and Malak Habib competed with students from The University of Queensland, James Cook University and Bond University. The Griffith team won first place in every single station and the overall top university score in this competition. Congratulations!
In October, RACS also invited one medical student from each medical school to present at the Queensland State Conference. Shantel Chang, 4th year medicine student, represented the Surgical Interest Association (SURGIA) and Griffith again, speaking about medical student perspectives on surgery as a career.
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Explore – Learning through travel and experience
Master of Global Public Health student, Chaitali Vaghela, shares her study experience in the Griffith Explore blog, and her goal to work towards improving the health care system and its aims to enhance the quality of health care for all by providing better access to health care services, disease prevention and health promotion.
Explore is a collaboration between Griffith University’s International Office and the student body.
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Hope4Health
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Since its inception in 2006, Hope4Health has been an integral part of providing medical and dental students with invaluable community experiences, particularly within rural and indigenous health.
Each year a group of dental students conducts a volunteer dental clinic in the Indigenous community of Cherbourg. Not only do these trips continue to provide free dental care to a community in need, but they also provide dental students the opportunity to learn about health in Indigenous communities and develop skills in rural practice. In 2021, 382 treatments were provided to the community valuing over $44,000. The students also worked to increase oral health awareness by visiting the local school and radio station and built meaningful relationships with local members.
The Rural Doctors Association Queensland (RDAQ) conference provides medical students an incredible opportunity to discover the exciting, infinite landscape of rural medicine. Not only can students participate in the clinical skills training, but they also can hear from leading presenters and network with doctors from across the state. The feedback from students is always positive, and Hope4Health is proud to fund medical student registrations to this conference each year.
Along with the Cherbourg Dental Clinical and RDAQ, there are many more rural and Indigenous initiatives that Hope4Health looks forward to continuing to provide medical and dental students in 2022. We also look forward to restarting our Rural High School Visits and seeing our newest event - the Rural Symposium - come to life!
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Griffith University Dental Students Association (GUDSA)
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President – Shea Hironaka
We welcome all new and returning students back to campus! GUDSA is excited to create a fantastic experience for all dentistry and oral health students in 2022. We cannot wait to see you all.
Academic – Jakob Hearn
In the academic committee we are exploring some interesting fields of dentistry with some renowned dental professionals in the form of lectures. We are also offering more hands-on learning experiences to students, such as a collaboration conference with the medical students and suturing workshops.
ADSA – Nicole Wong
We are starting off the year with the first Australian Dental Student Association Cup Event – a blood drive competition that runs from February to June. GUDSA came second place last year in this event, so we are hoping to secure the win this time! We have a bake sale coming up later in the trimester and another in trimester 2, as well. In September, we will be teaming up with ADSA for R U OK Day to raise awareness and help eliminate the stigma around mental health.
Social – Isaac Sanderson
First up on the agenda is our Annual 1st Year Mixer followed by the very popular Icebreaker event. We are holding our first ever 1st Year Q&A Session and we will follow up with some events that facilitate interaction between programs and universities. In T2, our long-awaited Scrub Crawl and beloved Dentistry Ball will be held. We are keen to socialise with everyone very soon!
Sponsorship – Victoria Zhou
This trimester, we aim to maximise students’ exposure to all aspects of the dental industry that otherwise will not be taught in class, including anything from understanding loupes to financial planning. Additionally, we are also creating a platform for our students to build strong, lasting relationships with our sponsors and prepare them for a successful dental journey.
Sporting – Jameson Hardy
In T1, GUDSA Sports plans to run weekly dodgeball and volleyball sessions, transitioning to fortnightly sessions after mid-tri break. Additionally, we plan to collaborate with UQ Dental Students on a beach day on the Gold Coast at the end of March. Overall, this year is looking very promising, with many other exciting events in the works for T1 and T2.
GUDSA Exec Team 2022
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Our Alumni
2022 Rhodes Scholar wants to change the health system
Griffith University Doctor of Medicine graduate Kathryn Woodward, who overcame a cancer diagnosis at 15 before embarking on her medical degree, has been awarded a prestigious 2022 Australia-At-Large Rhodes Scholarship.
Kathryn will use the Rhodes Scholarship opportunity to study at Oxford University from late next year, hoping to undertake an MSc International Health and Tropical Medicine followed by MSc Comparative Social Policy.
Watch the video HERE.
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Emma McKeon recognised at 2021 Blues Awards for Sporting Excellence
After returning from Tokyo with seven Olympic medals, swimming sensation and 2021 Bachelor of Public Health graduate Emma McKeon OAM has been named Overall Athlete of the Year at Griffith University’s Blues Awards for Sporting Excellence on the Gold Coast. Emma’s Blues recognition comes after she was also named 2021 FINA World Cup Champ. Emma accepted her award via video while overseas (pictured).
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Excellence 2021 Australian Dental Association Young Dentist Award
Congratulations to Dr Linton Nash on receiving the 2021 Australian Dental Association Outstanding Young Dentist Award. This award has only been awarded five times in its history.
Linton graduated from Dentistry at Griffith in 2011 and went on to work in the Australian Defence Force and specialise in Orthodontics at the National University of Singapore.
Currently, Linton works as an orthodontist in suburban and rural private practice, as well as working in the Monash Medical Centre Cleft Department. Before COVID Linton volunteered for the Vietnam cleft team and on the ADAVB council and various committees. |
Why Omicron Makes Us Feel like We Just Can't Do It
Recent Master of Public Health graduate, Natalie Reyes Bernard, participated in a Mamamia podcast on pandemic fatigue. Click on the link below to listen to the podcast on how to cope with pandemic fatigue:
https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/the-quicky/pandemic-fatigue-how-to-cope
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Feedback invited
Please take a moment to tell us what you think of our newsletter and provide feedback on what you would like to see in future issues:
COMPLETE THE FEEDBACK FORM HERE.
For contributions to the School of Medicine and Dentistry newsletter, please email MDP@griffith.edu.au
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