Monash Health

Congratulations to our Monash Health Haematology Department and Cardiac Emergency Department, who took part in Run Melbourne and raised over $7,000 for the Monash Health Foundation. Team members ran in the 5.5km, 10km and half marathon events with support from friends, family and colleagues. "We are really pleased with our first attempt at Run Melbourne and look forward to engaging even more team members in 2025,” shared Professor Jake Shortt, Clinical Director of Haematology. Thank you to everyone involved for your time, effort and commitment to fundraising. If you are looking to turn a special challenge into a fundraising effort, there are a number of ways to get involved in making a difference. To learn more about fundraising at Monash Health, please visit: monashhealthfoundation.org

Speech Pathologist Grace Schofield has been a pivotal figure in the evolution of Project QWERTY, an initiative bridging communication gaps for aphasia patients. Aphasia is a communication impairment often resulting from stroke or brain injury. It affects how a person understands a conversation, speaks, reads and writes. Grace started her journey at Monash Health as a graduate speech pathologist in 2018, and by 2019, Project QWERTY had been born as part of a collaborative effort. “Our vision was to create a free online platform where individuals with aphasia could enhance their spelling and typing skills, which is crucial for everyday communication and rehabilitation,” said Grace. After securing funding through the Healthcare Innovation Summer Scholarship (HISS), the team launched the unique website in 2022, solidifying their commitment to providing accessible tools for patient rehabilitation.  "It was a culmination of hard work and dedication of the project team, with substantial engagement from the community. Since then, we have seen over 6,500 users benefiting from the platform."  In 2023, Grace’s dedication and vision for enhancing patient care through technology saw her awarded a Monash Health Emerging Researcher Fellowship. It provided critical resources and support to improve the website further and, importantly, integrate direct feedback from individuals with aphasia into the development process. "Involving individuals with lived experiences of aphasia in the co-production of the project was crucial. Their insights were invaluable in refining the platform's usability and ensuring it met the diverse needs of our users,” said Grace. "Completing the fellowship has given me room to grow and also shaped the way I learn, think, plan, and reflect."  Looking forward, Grace and her team remain committed to documenting their findings and sharing insights. Their goal is to continually enhance Project QWERTY's impact by exploring new features and incorporating technological advancements that better serve individuals with aphasia.  To explore Project QWERTY, visit: projectqwerty.com 

In Melbourne’s South East, mpox transmission continues to be high. Those at risk of becoming infected include anyone who has close physical contact with someone who has mpox. Mpox vaccination is available and strongly recommended. People who are fully vaccinated, with two vaccines at least 28 days apart, have the best protection. Professor Rhonda Stuart, Director of Monash Health's South East Public Health Unit, spoke with SBS News and The Age on preventative measures and those at high risk. “Vaccination is an important preventative measure and can decrease the risk of contracting disease and its severity,” said Prof Stuart. For those who do develop symptoms, even if vaccinated, it is important to visit a doctor and refrain from prolonged contact with others until well. To listen to the SBS News interview, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gXAbwhnA

Over many years the charity Camp Quality has supported Monash Children’s Cancer Centre, funding a Child Life Therapist role to help children, young people and their families living with a cancer diagnosis. Through play Child Life Therapists help children understand their hospital treatment. They also teach children coping skills to reduce anxiety over the procedures they face. Child Life Therapists support the welfare of the whole family, with sessions tailored to their needs. This month, Monash Children's Hospital and Monash Health Foundation hosted guests from Camp Quality for the unveiling of a plaque recognising the charity’s highly valued ongoing support.

Father-of-three Dalibor Hercog knew the signs of stroke, but never imagined that information would help him save the life of his 16-year-old son, Martin. The high school student collapsed at home days before Christmas. He found himself unable to move or speak. Recognising the symptoms of stroke, his father helped set in motion a chain of rapid medical interventions that would enable his son to walk and talk again. This week, the Hercog family returned to Monash Children’s Hospital to meet and thank some of the many clinicians that treated and cared for Martin. 9News captured the visit and interviewed Associate Professor Ronil V. Chandra, Head of NeuroInterventional Radiology at Monash Health. “Most people think that only old people have strokes. But the truth is stroke can attack at any age. You could be a teenager; you could be a young mother in your 30s; or you could be an older retiree,” said A/Prof Chandra. He encouraged people to learn the signs of stroke, including: 👉 facial weakness 👉 arms not working 👉 trouble walking 👉 difficulty speaking Acting fast when you suspect a person has had a stroke can prevent death and disability.

Neurology patients that would benefit from prolonged monitoring for the accurate diagnosis of conditions including epilepsy can now have their brain activity tracked at home, through Monash Health’s new Ambulatory EEG Service. Until now, patients with complex epilepsy or infrequent neurological events have had to be admitted to Monash Medical Centre for one to three days for prolonged Video Electroencephalogram Monitoring (VEM). For some patients this has meant taking time off work and making alternative care arrangements for dependents. Some patients have instead opted to pay for private ambulatory services costing hundreds of dollars. The new service will reduce the wait list for inpatient VEM and support accurate diagnosis. “Patients are more likely to have an event at home because they are not confined to a bed, they are doing their usual activities like walking around, brushing their teeth, going to the toilet,” said Clinical Lead Neurophysiology Scientist Giosi Cardamone. Longer periods of monitoring provide a more comprehensive overview of a person’s brainwave activity. “Prolonged monitoring is really useful where a patient is having possible neurological events, but it has been difficult to capture that on a standard 25-30 minute recording. It might help us to diagnose or characterize exactly what those episodes are, and make sure that the patient gets the right treatment,” said Consultant Neurologist Subramanian Muthusamy. In the Neurology Department at Monash Medical Centre, staff attach small metal discs called electrodes to the patient’s scalp. The electrodes are connected to wires that lead to a small unit in a soft pouch that the patient wears. A bandage helps keep the electrodes in place. The unit sends data wirelessly to a PC in a small portable case. A video camera on a tripod attached to the case records what happens to the patient during an episode. Currently the new Ambulatory EEG Service monitors patients for up to 24 hours. “The battery can last up to three days, so we can potentially go longer [in the future],” said Senior Neurophysiology Scientist Ivana Peric.

Whooping cough (also known as 'pertussis') cases are on the rise in Victoria, a disease that is particularly dangerous for babies under 6 months of age. Vaccination is available and strongly encouraged, especially for women during their third trimester of pregnancy, to protect their babies until the infant is able to have its own vaccine. Professor Rhonda Stuart, Director of Monash Health's South East Public Health Unit, spoke with 9News on everything you need to know about whooping cough.

Last week, the Victorian Heart Hospital welcomed Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Medical Research the Hon. Ben Carroll MP and his parliamentary colleagues, to tour the world-leading facilities. The Victorian Heart Hospital is an innovative partnership between Monash Health, Monash University, and the Victorian Government. Australia’s first dedicated cardiac hospital integrates clinical cardiology services, research, and education in one place to create a centre of excellence. Led by Professor Stephen Nicholls, the group visited the Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Catheterisation Labs including two hybrid labs – the largest and most advanced of their kind, Simulation Training Centre, Biomedical and Engineering Research Laboratories, Health Innovation Centre, Clinical Trials Centre and the Cardiac Emergency Department. “Through the Victorian Heart Hospital, Institute and new Health Innovation Centre we’re developing a translational ecosystem dedicated to improving health outcomes through innovation,” said Professor Stephen Nicholls, Director of the Victorian Heart Hospital and the Victorian Heart Institute. “We’re invested in building the profile of cardiovascular research, treatment and training so we can best meet the needs of our community, and all Victorians.” To learn more about the Victorian Heart Hospital, visit: https://lnkd.in/gUfbyu-x

22-year-old Adhav Parasuraman is a student doctor at Dandenong Hospital, but he has been a familiar face on-site volunteering since he was 18 years old. As reported by Star News, Adhav’s goal during high school was to pursue a career in healthcare. He soon took on a role as a volunteer at Dandenong Hospital to develop his skills in the hospital setting and give back to the community. Starting as a Volunteer Concierge, Adhav quickly learned his way around Dandenong Hospital and became a Volunteer Ward Ambassador, where he had the opportunity to develop his communication skills with people of all backgrounds, communities, and occupations. “Deciding to step out of my comfort zone and take on the Ward Ambassador role was the best decision I made. I knew that if I wanted to become a doctor, I would have to have the confidence in building relationships with my patients,” said Adhav. “My time volunteering allowed me to meet so many different people in the hospital who were happy to provide advice and valuable tips. I learnt the value of communication and teamwork in the patients' experience and how everyone’s role plays a part, from arrival at reception to being treated on the wards.” Adhav finished the volunteer program last year to pursue his medical studies. He is currently in his rotation in the Dandenong Hospital Emergency Department, where he is enjoying the variety and challenge. He has his sights set on a future in Emergency Medicine. To read the Star News article and more about Adhav’s journey, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gfCTNnbQ

Looking for a school holiday activity? While it may not be as exciting as going to the cinema, it is the perfect time to make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date and help your family and friends stay well this winter. Respiratory illnesses are circulating in the community as we head further into winter, with presentations of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and influenza (flu) on the rise. For the best and easiest protection, book your influenza vaccine and up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine with your pharmacist or doctor. Free influenza vaccination is available for all Monash Health staff and our patients, their families, and caregivers aged 6 months and older at Monash Immunisation, Clayton. To find out more, please visit: https://lnkd.in/g5Mh-wg